Zebrafish Cdx4 regulates neural crest cell specification and migratory behaviors in the posterior body.

ABSTRACT: The neural crest (NC) is a transient multipotent cell population that migrates extensively to produce a remarkable array of vertebrate cell types. NC cell specification progresses in an anterior to posterior fashion, resulting in distinct, axial-restricted subpopulations. The anterior-most, cranial, population of NC is specified as gastrulation concludes and neurulation begins, while more posterior populations become specified as the body elongates. The mechanisms that govern development of the more posterior NC cells remain incompletely understood. Here, we report a key role for zebrafish Cdx4, a homeodomain transcription factor, in the development of posterior NC cells. We demonstrate that cdx4 is expressed in trunk NC cell progenitors, directly binds NC cell-specific enhancers in the NC

SUBMITTER: Rocha M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8530962 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature