ABSTRACT
The neural crest is regionalized along the anteroposterior axis, as demonstrated by foundational lineage-tracing experiments that showed the restricted developmental potential of neural crest cells originating in the head. Here, we explore how recent studies of experimental embryology, genetic circuits and stem cell differentiation have shaped our understanding of the mechanisms that establish axial-specific populations of neural crest cells. Additionally, we evaluate how comparative, anatomical and genomic approaches have informed our current understanding of the evolution of the neural crest and its contribution to the vertebrate body.
Footnotes
Competing interests
The authors declare no competing or financial interests.
Funding
Related work in the Prince lab was funded by a National Science Foundation award (1528911) and by the Chicago Biomedical Consortium with support from the Searle Funds at Chicago Community Trust (C-070 to V.E.P. and Ankur Saxena). M.R. and A.B. were supported by the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) of the National Institutes of Health (T32HD055164). This material is additionally based upon research supported by a grant from the NICHD (F31HD097957 to M.R.) and by the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program (DGE-1144082 to A.B.). Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Institutes of Health or the National Science Foundation. Deposited in PMC for release after 12 months.
Log in using your username and password
Log in through your institution
Pay Per Article - You may access this article (from the computer you are currently using) for 1 day for US$30.00 .
Regain Access - You can regain access to a recent Pay per Article purchase if your access period has not yet expired.