Induction and Specification of Neural Crest Cells

The neural crest is a multipotent population of migratory cells unique to the vertebrate embryo. Neural crest cells form at the neural plate border during gastrulation and, around the time of neural tube closure, leave the neuroepithelium to produce a diverse array of cell types, contributing to multiple organ systems. Neural crest cells are generated through a sequence of events orchestrated by the modulation of several signaling pathways and the activation of a complex network of transcription factors. Here, we review recent advances in the characterization of the molecular players directing neural crest induction and specification, comparing data from different model organisms.