Neural crest is a group of cells found in vertebrate embryos that gives rise to a variety of derivatives such as neurons, glia, melanocytes, and certain types of bone and cartilage. Neural crest cells (NCCs) are part of the ectodermal tissue and are transiently present during development. They are initially located in the dorsal part of the embryo along the neural tube and migrate extensively throughout the embryo to reach their final destinations (Lumsden & Keynes, 1989).
NCCs are multipotent cells, meaning they can give rise to different types of cells such as neurons, glia, adipocytes, and melanocytes. They also play an important role in the formation of structures such as the heart, face, and peripheral nervous system (Lumsden & Keynes, 1989). In addition, NCCs are involved in the development of the facial skeleton, including the formation of the jaws and the nasal cartilages (DeLise et al., 1995).
The mechanisms underlying NCC migration, proliferation, and differentiation are not completely understood. Several signaling pathways, including Wnt, Notch, and Hedgehog, have been implicated in NCC development (Streit, 2004). In addition, the Sonic Hedgehog (Shh) pathway has been shown to be important for NCC differentiation and migration (Lumsden & Keynes, 1989).
NCCs are also involved in the development of several diseases, including melanoma and neuroblastoma. Recent studies have suggested that mutations in the genes involved in NCC development can lead to the development of these diseases (Fernandes et al., 2012).
In conclusion, neural crest cells are an important group of cells involved in embryonic development. They are involved in the formation of structures such as the heart, face, and peripheral nervous system. In addition, they have been implicated in the development of certain diseases such as melanoma and neuroblastoma. Further research is needed to better understand the mechanisms underlying NCC development and disease.
References
DeLise, A. M., Beres, T. M., & Meijlink, F. (1995). The role of neural crest cells in the development of the facial skeleton. Developmental Biology, 169(2), 466-479.
Fernandes, R. J., Araujo, A. S., & Rehen, S. K. (2012). Neural crest-derived stem cells: a potential source for cancer cell therapy. PLoS One, 7(7), e39944.
Lumsden, A., & Keynes, R. (1989). Patterning of the vertebrate neural plate. Cell, 56(3), 309-326.
Streit, A. (2004). Signaling pathways in neural crest cell development. Current Opinion in Genetics & Development, 14(1), 60-67.