A cell population in the neural plate border region of embryos of ascidians, the closest relatives of vertebrates, has properties similar to those of the neural crest cells and neuromesodermal cells of vertebrate embryos. The evolutionary origin of these multipotent cells may date back to the common ancestor of vertebrates and ascidians.
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References
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This is a summary of: Ishida, T. & Satou, Y. et al. Ascidian embryonic cells with properties of neural-crest cells and neuromesodermal progenitors of vertebrates. Nat. Ecol. Evol. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41559-024-02387-8 (2024).
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Evolutionary origin of vertebrate neural crest and neuromesodermal cells. Nat Ecol Evol (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41559-024-02388-7
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41559-024-02388-7
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