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Making a face: A new and earlier marker of neural crest development
July 12, 2006New Haven, Conn. — The fate of cells that go on to form the face, skull and nerve centers of the head and neck in vertebrates is determined much earlier in development than previously thought, and is independent of interaction with other forming tissues, according to a recent study published in the journal Nature.
The collaborators at Yale and Caltech demonstrate with three different technologies — immunostaining of proteins, in situ hybridization and multiplex RT-PCR of mRNAs — that formation of neural crest cells in chick embryos is independent of both mesoderm and neural tissues. They also identify, Pax7, as an early marker of neural crest formation and prove that its function is required in the earliest stages of development.
The neural crest is a population of stem cells that migrate extensively during development and give rise to many derivatives, including most of the bone and cartilage of the head skeleton, pigment cells of the skin, and cells of the peripheral nervous system.
In humans, cleft palate, heart valve malformations and various tumors are among the common malformations associated with disruption of neural crest development.
Chick embryos have well-characterized stages and are a valuable model for examining vertebrate development. While it was known that the ability to form neural crest cells declines after "stage 10," the researchers were seeking the earliest conditions surrounding formation of these important stem cells.
"Understanding the origin of neural crest cells — where, when and how they arise — is a critical step if we are to manipulate them for therapeutic purposes," said Martín García-Castro, assistant professor of molecular, cellular and developmental biology at Yale and principal investigator on the study. "Implications of these basic questions of biology and development reach far beyond these chicken and eggs."
Based on work from the 1940's before molecular tools were available, the neural crest was thought to form by interactions between neural and non-neural cell layers. "We show in this work that neural crest stem cell precursors are designated very early in development — as early as the gastrula stages — and in an independent fashion from those other tissues," said Martín García-Castro.
The researchers grew grafts of cells from "stage 3" chick embryos, before the neural plate formed, in non-inducing cultures. Surprisingly, restricted regions of the embryo generated both migrating neural crest cells and their derivative cell types, without any interaction with neural or mesodermal tissues.
"Our results are contrary to current text-book models and suggest that different modes of neural crest induction operate during development," said Martín García-Castro. "Interestingly, the one we have uncovered is related to the early, cranial neural crest cells, the only ones in higher vertebrates that retain bone and cartilage forming potential."
Yale University
In humans, cleft palate, heart valve malformations and various tumors are among the common malformations associated with disruption of neural crest development.
Chick embryos have well-characterized stages and are a valuable model for examining vertebrate development. While it was known that the ability to form neural crest cells declines after "stage 10," the researchers were seeking the earliest conditions surrounding formation of these important stem cells.
"Understanding the origin of neural crest cells — where, when and how they arise — is a critical step if we are to manipulate them for therapeutic purposes," said Martín García-Castro, assistant professor of molecular, cellular and developmental biology at Yale and principal investigator on the study. "Implications of these basic questions of biology and development reach far beyond these chicken and eggs."
Based on work from the 1940's before molecular tools were available, the neural crest was thought to form by interactions between neural and non-neural cell layers. "We show in this work that neural crest stem cell precursors are designated very early in development — as early as the gastrula stages — and in an independent fashion from those other tissues," said Martín García-Castro.
The researchers grew grafts of cells from "stage 3" chick embryos, before the neural plate formed, in non-inducing cultures. Surprisingly, restricted regions of the embryo generated both migrating neural crest cells and their derivative cell types, without any interaction with neural or mesodermal tissues.
"Our results are contrary to current text-book models and suggest that different modes of neural crest induction operate during development," said Martín García-Castro. "Interestingly, the one we have uncovered is related to the early, cranial neural crest cells, the only ones in higher vertebrates that retain bone and cartilage forming potential."
Yale University
Neural Crest Current Events and Neural Crest News RSSCase Western Reserve University discovers Merkel cell originates from skin, not the neural crest
Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine assistant professor of pediatrics, neurosciences and otolaryngology, Stephen M. Maricich, M.D., Ph.D., and his team found that Merkel cells originate in the skin, not the neural crest lineage, as previously speculated.
New study resolves the mysterious origin of Merkel cells
A new study resolves a 130-year-old mystery over the developmental origin of specialized skin cells involved in touch sensation.
A genetic basis for schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a severely debilitating psychiatric disease that is thought to have its roots in the development of the nervous system; however, major breakthroughs linking its genetics to diagnosis, prognosis and treatment are still unrealized.
Scientists identify gene vital to early embryonic cells forming a normal heart and skull
New research from Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center highlights the critical role a certain gene and its protein play during early embryonic development on formation of a normal heart and skull.
New study finds increased prevalence of left-handedness in children with facial development disorder
A new study by physician researchers from Hasbro Children's Hospital and Children's Hospital Boston has identified an increased prevalence in left-handedness in children with a congenital disorder known as hemifacial microsomia (HFM).
Caltech researchers help unlock the secrets of gene regulatory networks
A quartet of studies by researchers at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) highlight a special feature on gene regulatory networks recently published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).
Case Western Reserve University uncovers genetic basis for some birth defects
A multidisciplinary research team at Case Western Reserve University led by Gary Landreth, Ph.D., a professor in the School of Medicine's Department of Neurosciences, has uncovered a common genetic pathway for a number of birth defects that affect the development of the heart and head. Abnormal development of the jaw, palate, brain and heart are relatively common congenital defects and frequently arise due to genetic errors that affect a key developmental pathway.
Forsyth scientists trigger cancer-like response from embryonic stem cells
Scientists from The Forsyth Institute, working with collaborators at Tufts and Tuebingen Universities, have discovered a new control over embryonic stem cells' behavior.
Alcohol consumption can cause too much cell death, fetal abnormalities
The initial signs of fetal alcohol syndrome are slight but classic: facial malformations such as a flat and high upper lip, small eye openings and a short nose.
Genomics of large marine animals showcased in the Biological Bulletin
Though the slow moving purple sea urchin may look oblivious, lacking a head, eyes and ears, this prickly creature has an impressive suite of sensory receptors to detect outside signals.
More Neural Crest Current Events and Neural Crest News Articles
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The Neural Crest and Neural Crest Cells in Vertebrate Development and Evolution (SPRINGER SERIES IN SOLID-STATE SCIENCES) by Brian K. Hall (Author) A presentation of all aspects of neural crest cell origins (embryological and evolutionary) development and evolution; neural crest cell behavior (migration) and anomalies (neurocristopathies and birth defects) that arise from defective neural crest development. The treatment of development will include discussions of cellular, molecular and genetic aspects of the differentiation and morphogenesis of neural crest cells and structures derived from neural crest cells. The origins of the neural crest in embryology will be discussed using the recent information on the molecular basis of the specification of the neural crest. Also presented are the advances in our understanding of the evolution of jaws from studies on lampreys and of the neural crest from studies on ascidians and... |
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The Neural Crest (Developmental and Cell Biology Series) by Nicole Le Douarin (Author), Chaya Kalcheim (Author) This fully revised edition of The Neural Crest contains the most current information about this unique structure that has a transient existence in early embryonic life. The ontogeny of the neural crest embodies the most important issues in developmental biology, as the neural crest is considered to have played a crucial role in evolution of the vertebrate phylum. This revised edition includes new data that analyze neural crest ontogeny in murine and zebrafish embryos. Additional features include coverage of advances in our understanding of neural crest cell subpopulation markers, cell lineage analysis, and the introduction of molecular biology to neural crest research. Like its predecessor, this volume is essential reading for students and researchers in developmental biology, cell... |
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The Neural Crest in Development and Evolution by Brian K. Hall (Author) Dalhousie Univ., Halifax, Nova Scotia. Discusses the discovery of neural crest and neural crest cells, their embryological and evolutionary origins, cellular derivatives, and migration and differentiation in normal development. Also addresses tumors and syndromes and birth defects involving neural crest cells. For neuroscientists, cell biologists, and advanced students. |
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The neural crest : its properties and derivatives in the light of experimental research by Sven Otto Horstadius (Author) |
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Neural Crest Induction and Differentiation (Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology) by Jean-Pierre Saint-Jeannet (Editor) Neural Crest Induction and Differentiation, written by an international panel of recognized leaders in the field, discusses all aspects of modern neural crest biology from its evolutionary significance, to its specification, migration, plasticity and contribution to multiple lineages of the vertebrate body, to the pathologies associated with abnormal neural crest development and function. Each chapter provides an invaluable resource for information on the most current advances in the field, with discussion of controversial issues and areas of emerging importance. |
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The Role of Wnt Signalling in the Development of Somites and Neural Crest (Advances in Anatomy, Embryology and Cell Biology) by C. Schmidt (Author), I. McGonnell (Author), S. Allen (Author), K. Patel (Author) The Wnt family of secreted signalling molecules controls a wide range of developmental processes in all metazoans. In this investigation, the authors have concentrated on the role that members of this family play during the development of the somites and the neural crest. Finally they have isolated a novel component of the Wnt signalling pathway called Naked Cuticle and investigated the role that this protein may play in both the previously mentioned processes. |
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The Neural Crest: Including a facsimile reprint of 'The Neural Crest' by Sven Horstadius (Oxford Science Publications) by Brian Keith Hall (Author) Neural crest cells are only found in vertebrates and it has been argued that they played a pivotal role in the origin of the species. The 120 year history of the neural crest is reviewed and its pervading influence documented and analyzed in this book, which includes and compares Horstadius' text "The Neural Crest: Its Properties and Derivatives" (1950) and new, experimental research into the treatment of the cells. The book takes a broad approach to the subject dealing with the embryonic and evolutionary origins of the neural crest, the many cell types and tissues that arise and differentiate from it, the migratory behaviour of these cells, and how knowledge of neural crest origin aids in the study of tumours and clinical syndromes. The two monographs are linked together by... | |
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The Neural Crest, Its Properties and Derivatives In The Light of Experimental Research by Sven Horstadius (Author), b/w Illustration (Illustrator) | |
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Developmental and Evolutionary Aspects of the Neural Crest (Wiley Series in Neurobiology) by Paul F. A. Maderson (Editor) "Developmental and Evolutionary Aspects of the Neural Crest" brings together important contributions by professionals in a range of fields. Its three major sections focus on the developmental biology of the neural crest; recent advances in this area, and how current insights are contributing to our understanding of the development and organization of the nervous system; and the relationship between the neural crest and skeletal evolution. Topics discussed include interactions between cephalic neural crest and mesodermal populations, the role of tissue interactions in the evolution of the vertebrate head, tooth development in the mammalian embryo in relation to the neural crest, and much more. The book is extensively illustrated with over 130 pieces of artwork. | |
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Embryos, Endocrine Cells and the Neural Crest by B. Kramer (Editor), B. B. Rawdon (Editor) This Festschrift celebrates Professor Ann Andrew, a senior South African scientist who has provided leadership in the field of endocrinology and also enriched an area of research which continues to grow. The book contains 14 research articles in which authors from both the South African and the international scientific community discuss factors influencing the development of endocrine cells of the gastro-intestinal tract and pancreas, of the salivary glands and of the neural crest cells. This book should be of interest to scholars working in the fields of developmental biology and endocrinology, and also to those who make use of immunocytochemistry. |
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