First published online March 24, 2005
Development 132, 802e (2005)
© The Company of Biologists Limited
Multipotency factor Id'ed
Neural crest precursor cells appear in vertebrate embryos around
mid-gastrulation and are maintained as multipotent cells until neural tube
closure, after which they migrate and differentiate into the peripheral
nervous system and other tissues. Light and colleagues now report that, in
Xenopus, Id3 acts downstream of Myc to prevent neural crest precursor
cells prematurely losing their multipotency (see p.
1831). Myc has been
previously shown to prevent premature cell fate decisions in neural crest
precursor cells. Light et al. show that the morpholino-mediated knockdown of
Id3 – Id proteins are negative regulators of bHLH transcription factors
– produces embryos in which CNS progenitors replace neural crest.
Conversely, forced expression of Id3 maintains neural precursors in an
undifferentiated state. Thus, Id3 helps to maintain neural crest stem cells
until the appropriate time for them to respond to differentiation signals.
Similar strategies may help to maintain other stem cell populations.
Related articles in Development:
- Xenopus Id3 is required downstream of Myc for the formation of multipotent neural crest progenitor cells
- William Light, Ann E. Vernon, Anna Lasorella, Antonio Iavarone, and Carole LaBonne
Development 2005 132: 1831-1841.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
