biostudies-literatureKinsler VAINCaANR Labex CelTisPhyBioGreat Ormond Street Hospital Childrens CharityNational Institute for Health Research (NIHR)ITMO CancerLigue Nationale Contre le CancerWellcome Trust95-109https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC5765478biostudies-literatureUnknown31(1)Systematic work in the mouse and chicken has mapped out two neural crest-derived pathways of melanocyte precursor migration. With these in mind, this study reappraises the patterns of congenital pigmentary disorders in humans and identifies three recurrent patterns consistent across genetically different diseases. Only two of these are seen in diseases known to be melanocyte cell-autonomous. The segmental pattern correlates well with the classical dorsolateral population from animal studies, demonstrating respect of the midline, cranio-caudal axial mixing, unilateral migration and involvement of key epidermally derived structures. Importantly however, the melanocyte precursors responsible for the non-segmental pattern, which demonstrates circular, bilateral migration centred on the midlinePigment cell & melanoma researchThe patterns of birthmarks suggest a novel population of melanocyte precursors arising around the time of gastrulation.PMC5765478W1140ANR-11-LBX-0038ANR-10-IDEX-0001-02 PSLWT104076MA104076/Z/14/ZLarue LKinsler VAfalseThe patterns of birthmarks suggest a novel population of melanocyte precursors arising around the time of gastrulation.Systematic work in the mouse and chicken has mapped out two neural crest-derived pathways of melanocyte precursor migration. With these in mind, this study reappraises the patterns of congenital pigmentary disorders in humans and identifies three recurrent patterns consistent across genetically different diseases. Only two of these are seen in diseases known to be melanocyte cell-autonomous. The segmental pattern correlates well with the classical dorsolateral population from animal studies, demonstrating respect of the midline, cranio-caudal axial mixing, unilateral migration and involvement of key epidermally derived structures. Importantly however, the melanocyte precursors responsible for the non-segmental pattern, which demonstrates circular, bilateral migration centred on the midline2018-01-01T00:00:00Z2018 Jan2025-04-04T11:30:48.474Z2019-03-26T22:59:41ZS-EPMC57654782894093410.1111/pcmr.12645