Module #8 (Ectoderm Derivative) Part #2

Based on retrospective lineage tracing analysis, what happens to the potency of neural crest progenitors as they move through different lineages?

Progenitors become more and more specified to certain cells. While they initially maintain the ability to give rise to several cell types, they eventually reach a point where they are completely in the track and committed to a specific fate.

How does the "Waddington landscape" concept apply to the differentiation of neural crest cells?

Once the cells go through a specific track in the landscape, they are committed to differentiate into specific adult cell types, such as melanocytes or neurons, and can no longer return to their multipotent state.

Gene regulatory network

The official name of all of this cascade of gene activation that are happening in the embryo

What does the "Gene Regulatory Network of Neural Crest Specification" demonstrate regarding the formation of an embryo?

It emphasizes the complexity of genetic regulation, where certain genes follow particular trajectories, activating factors that then activate other factors. It highlights how it is "almost a miracle" that this network works every single time in every embryo to produce life.

Describe the migratory path of the cardiac neural crest and its role in the heart's anatomy.

Cells from the top of the neural tube migrate down to the ventral side of the embryo. They are responsible for performing septation (creating a division) at the pulmonary artery, the pulmonary vein, and the aorta.

What is the physiological result if the cardiac neural crest fails to perform septation?

There is a "huge issue" of mixing blood that is highly oxygenated with blood that is completely full of residues.

Which molecular marker and genetic system can be used to track or manipulate neural crest derivatives?

Wnt-1 is used as a marker (driver and reporter) to track derivatives. The Cre-lox system can also be used to track cells or perform tissue-specific deletion (loss of function).