Lineage-specific requirements of β-catenin in neural crest development

摘要: β-Catenin plays a pivotal role in cadherin-mediated cell adhesion. Moreover, it is downstream signaling component of Wnt that controls multiple developmental processes such as proliferation, apoptosis, and fate decisions. To study the β-catenin neural crest development, we used Cre/loxP system to ablate specifically stem cells. Although several crest–derived structures develop normally, mutant animals lack melanocytes dorsal root ganglia (DRG). In vivo vitro analyses revealed cells emigrate but fail generate an early wave sensory neurogenesis normally marked by transcription factor neurogenin (ngn) 2. This indicates premigratory or migratory points heterogeneity at earliest stages development. addition, lateral tube do not aggregate form DRG are unable produce later usually ngn1. We propose requirement for specification neuronal lineages reflects roles both mediating cell–cell interactions.