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.