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Migratory neural crest-like cells form body pigmentation in a urochordate embryo

Nature volume 431, pages 696–699 (2004)Cite this article

Abstract

The neural crest, a source of many different cell types in vertebrate embryos, has not been identified in other chordates1,2,3. Current opinion therefore holds that neural crest cells were a vertebrate innovation4,5,6,7. Here we describe a migratory cell population resembling neural crest cells in the ascidian urochordate Ecteinascidia turbinata. Labelling of embryos and larvae with the vital lipophilic dye DiI enabled us to detect cells that emerge from the neural tube, migrate into the body wall and siphon primordia, and subsequently differentiate as pigment cells. These cells express HNK-1 antigen and Zic gene markers of vertebrate neural crest cells. The results suggest that migratory cells with some of the features of neural crest cells are present in the urochordates. Thus, we propose a hypothesis for neural crest evolution beginning with the release of migratory cells from the CNS to produce body pigmentation in the common ancestor of the urochordates and vertebrates. These cells may have gained additional functions or were joined by other cell types to generate the variety of derivatives typical of the vertebrate neural crest.

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Figure 1: Ecteinascidia turbinata.
Figure 2: DiI tracing of migratory cells in embryos.
Figure 3: DiI tracing and fate of migratory cells in developing tadpoles and post-metamorphic adults.
Figure 4: Neural crest markers.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by grants to W.R.J. from the National Science Foundation, the National Institutes of Health, and the Bermuda Biological Station. We thank D. Martasian, A. Parkhurst, and L. Reed for technical assistance.

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Author notes

  1. Yoshiyuki Yamamoto

    Present address: Evolutionary Anatomy Unit, Department of Anatomy & Developmental Biology, University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, UK

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, 20742, USA

    William R. Jeffery, Allen G. Strickler & Yoshiyuki Yamamoto

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  1. William R. Jeffery
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  2. Allen G. Strickler
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  3. Yoshiyuki Yamamoto
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Correspondence to William R. Jeffery.

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Jeffery, W., Strickler, A. & Yamamoto, Y. Migratory neural crest-like cells form body pigmentation in a urochordate embryo. Nature 431, 696–699 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1038/nature02975

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