PUBLICATION

Current progress in neural crest cell motility and migration and future prospects for the zebrafish model system

Authors
Halloran, M.C. and Berndt, J.D.
ID
ZDB-PUB-031031-15
Date
2003
Source
Developmental Dynamics : an official publication of the American Association of Anatomists   228(3): 497-513 (Journal)
Registered Authors
Berndt, Jason, Halloran, Mary
Keywords
neural crest, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, ephrin, semaphorin
MeSH Terms
  • Animals
  • Cell Adhesion/physiology
  • Cell Movement/physiology
  • Chemotaxis/physiology
  • Cytoskeleton/physiology
  • Models, Biological
  • Mutagenesis
  • Neural Crest/physiology*
  • Zebrafish/embryology
  • Zebrafish/genetics
  • Zebrafish/physiology*
PubMed
14579388 Full text @ Dev. Dyn.
Abstract
The neural crest is a unique population of cells that contributes to the formation of diverse cell types, including craniofacial cartilage, peripheral neurons, the cardiac outflow tract, and pigment cells. Neural crest cells (NCCs) are specified within the neuroepithelium, undergo an epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, and migrate to target destinations throughout the embryo. Here, we review current understanding of two steps in NCC development, both of which involve NCC motility. The first is NCC delamination from the neuroepithelium and the changes in cell adhesion and the cytoskeleton necessary for the initiation of migration. The second is NCC migration and the signals that guide NCCs along specific migratory pathways. We illustrate the strength of the zebrafish, Danio rerio, as a model organism to study NCC motility. The zebrafish is particularly well suited for the study of neural crest motility because of the ability to combine genetic manipulation with live imaging of migrating NCCs.
Genes / Markers
Figures
Expression
Phenotype
Mutations / Transgenics
Human Disease / Model
Sequence Targeting Reagents
Fish
Antibodies
Orthology
Engineered Foreign Genes
Mapping