title: Building a second brain in the bowel.
abstract: The enteric nervous system (ENS) is sometimes called the "second brain" because of the diversity of neuronal cell types and complex, integrated circuits that permit the ENS to autonomously regulate many processes in the bowel. Mechanisms supporting ENS development are intricate, with numerous proteins, small molecules, and nutrients that affect ENS morphogenesis and mature function. Damage to the ENS or developmental defects cause vomiting, abdominal pain, constipation, growth failure, and early death. Here, we review molecular mechanisms and cellular processes that govern ENS development, identify areas in which more investigation is needed, and discuss the clinical implications of new basic research.
authors: Marina
authors: M
authors: Avetisyan
authors: Ellen Merrick
authors: EM
authors: Schill
authors: Robert O
authors: RO
authors: Heuckeroth
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D019521:Body Patterning; D002465:Cell Movement; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D003106:Colon / Q000294:innervation*; D017615:Enteric Nervous System / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology* / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D009432:Neural Crest / Q000166:cytology; D051096:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-ret / Q000502:physiology; D012176:Retinoids / Q000502:physiology; D015398:Signal Transduction
chemical_list: D012176:Retinoids; D051096:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-ret; C099282:RET protein, human