Summary & Conclusions
•The ENS is derived from a multipotent set of prcursors that migrate to the bowel from the neural crest.
•Signals from the migratory and enteric microenvironments determine the fates of the
crest-derived ENS
precursors.
•Developmental potential is restricted and
commitment increases as
development proceeds.
–Stages in development can be recognized by the dependence
of cells on a succession of essential
transcription factors, growth factors and
their receptors.
•Early factors include Phox2b, Sox10, Ret/GFRa1/GDNF
•Later factors include Mash-1, EDNRB/EDN3, NT-3/TRkB
•Guidance molecules are needed to colonize
the gut and form submucosal and
pancreatic plexuses.