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Wnts and the neural crest

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Abstract

The neural crest is a multipotent tissue that originates between the neural epithelium and non-neural ectoderm, which can develop into numerous cell types, including neurons, glia, pigment cells, smooth muscle, cartilage and bone. Work in a variety of animal models has shown that a number of signalling factors are necessary for the induction, delamination and differentiation of neural crest cells. However one family of proteins, the Wnts, shows an overriding influence on this tissue. Here we review recent studies that pinpoint specific roles that Wnts play in the development of the neural crest.

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Acknowledgements

The authors gratefully acknowledge S. Allen, A. Graham, IM. McGonnell and B. Otto for critical reading of the manuscript, helpful comments and suggestions. The grant sponsor for this work was the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (grant no. Schm 1643/2-1).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Veterinary Basic Sciences, The Royal Veterinary College, London, NW1 0TU, UK

    Corina Schmidt & Ketan Patel

  2. Institute of Anatomy, Ludwigs-Maximillians-University of Munich, 80336, Munich, Germany

    Corina Schmidt & Corina Schmidt

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  1. Corina Schmidt
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  2. Ketan Patel
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Correspondence to Corina Schmidt.

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Schmidt, C., Patel, K. Wnts and the neural crest. Anat Embryol 209, 349–355 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00429-005-0459-9

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