Summary
Trunk neural crest cells segregate from the neuroepithelium and enter a ‘migration staging area’ lateral to the embryonic neural tube. After some crest cells in the migration staging area have begun to migrate on a medial pathway, a subpopulation of crest-derived cells remaining in the migration staging area expresses mRNAs for the receptor tyrosine kinase, c-kit, and tyrosinase-related protein-2, both of which are characteristic of melanocyte precursors. These putative melanocyte precursors are subsequently observed on the lateral crest migration pathway between the dermatome and overlying epithelium, and then dispersed in nascent dermal mesenchyme. Melanocyte precursors transiently require the c-kit ligand, Steel factor for survival. Although Steel factor mRNA is transiently expressed in the dorsal dermatome before the onset of trunk neural crest cell dispersal on the lateral pathway, it is no longer produced by dermatomal cells when melanocyte precursors have dispersed in the dermal mesenchyme. To assess the role of Steel factor in migration of melanocyte precursors on the lateral pathway, we analyzed melanocyte precursor dispersal and fate on the lateral pathway of two different Sl mutants, Sl, a null allele, and Sld, which lacks cell surface-associated Steel factor but produces a soluble form. No melanocyte precursors were detected in the dermatome of embryos homozygous for the Sl allele or in W mutants that lack functional c-kit. In contrast, in embryos homozygous for the Sld allele, melanocyte precursors appeared on the lateral pathway, but subsequently disappear from the dermis. These results suggest that soluble Steel factor is required for melanocyte precursor dispersal on the lateral pathway, or for their initial survival in the migration staging area. In contrast, membrane-bound Steel factor appears to promote melanocyte precursor survival in the dermis.
Article navigation
Related articles
Cited by...
More in this TOC section
Similar articles
Other journals from The Company of Biologists
Spotlight – In vivo imaging: shining a light on stem cells in the living animal
Phong Dang Nguyen and Peter David Currie highlight how recent advances in imaging technologies have enabled stem cells to be visualised in real time within intact organ systems, revealing novel aspects of their behaviour, especially in response to injury.
Review – The ontogeny, activation and function of the epicardium during heart development and regeneration
In a historical and current Review of comparative studies, Filipa C. Simões and Paul R. Riley, provide insight into the epicardium during heart development and regeneration: origins, formation, cell fate, signalling activity, interaction with the local environment and therapeutic potential.
A new Editor-in-Chief for Development
“I'm very keen that Development continues to innovate and support our community.”
We're delighted to announce the appointment of James Briscoe, Group Leader at The Francis Crick Institute, London, as our new Editor-in-Chief. Read our interview with James to find out his career and research interests, the importance of interdisciplinary thinking in developmental biology, and his views on the current state and future opportunities in scientific publishing. Also, check out the Editorial from Sarah Bray, Kate Storey and Katherine Brown to learn more about the announcement, and about our recent community consultation.
On the Node – The people behind the papers
Volvocine algae provide a useful and fascinating model to study how the eukaryote transition from isogamy to anisogamy, and ultimately to oogamy occurred. A new Research Article explores the genetics of the process in Volvox and some of its relatives. The Node caught up with first author Sa Geng and his PI James Umen to hear the story behind the work.
From stem cells to human development – meeting reporter competition
In September, Development is hosting our next meeting focusing on human developmental biology. We are excited to announce a competition for a reporter to cover the meeting for the Node. The winner will get free registration to the meeting, and it’s a fantastic opportunity to practice your science communication skills - find out more here.
Santa Cruz Developmental Biology Meeting
Development is a proud sponsor of the upcoming Santa Cruz Developmental Biology Meeting, which takes place 11-15 August 2018 at the University of California, Santa Cruz . Registration for this meeting is now open!
Articles of interest in our sister journals
Dynamics of cortical domains in early Drosophila development
Anja Schmidt, Jörg Grosshans. J Cell Sci 2018 131: jcs212795
Matrix elasticity regulates mesenchymal stem cell chemotaxis
Neha Saxena, Pankaj Mogha, Silalipi Dash, Abhijit Majumder, Sameer Jadhav, Shamik Sen. J Cell Sci 2018 131: jcs211391