Animal models for studying neural crest development: is the mouse different?

Development. 2015 May 1;142(9):1555-60. doi: 10.1242/dev.121590.

Abstract

The neural crest is a uniquely vertebrate cell type and has been well studied in a number of model systems. Zebrafish, Xenopus and chick embryos largely show consistent requirements for specific genes in early steps of neural crest development. By contrast, knockouts of homologous genes in the mouse often do not exhibit comparable early neural crest phenotypes. In this Spotlight article, we discuss these species-specific differences, suggest possible explanations for the divergent phenotypes in mouse and urge the community to consider these issues and the need for further research in complementary systems.

Keywords: Chicken; Gene knockout; Mouse; Neural crest; Xenopus; Zebrafish.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Chick Embryo
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / genetics
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / physiology*
  • Gene Knockout Techniques / methods*
  • Mice
  • Models, Animal*
  • Neural Crest / embryology*
  • Phenotype*
  • Species Specificity
  • Xenopus
  • Zebrafish