Gene Expression in Differentiating and Transdifferentiating Neural Crest Cells

The neural crest is a transient population of cells that detach from the top of the neural tube and then disperse throughout the embryo giving rise to the peripheral nervous system, melanocytes, and the adrenal medulla, as well as a diverse array of other cell types. Transplantation experiments suggest that most premigratory cells throughout the neural crest have the same developmental potential, regardless of their actual fate (LeDouarin 1982; Weston 1982.) Thus, the environment encountered by crest cells during or after migration appears to be critical in determining their final phenotype.