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Differentiation of the zebrafish enteric nervous system and intestinal smooth muscle
Author(s) -
Olden Tasha,
Akhtar Tanveer,
Beckman Sarah A.,
Wallace Kenneth N.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
genesis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.093
H-Index - 110
eISSN - 1526-968X
pISSN - 1526-954X
DOI - 10.1002/dvg.20429
Subject(s) - enteric nervous system , neural crest , biology , zebrafish , nervous system , neuroscience , anatomy , central nervous system , microbiology and biotechnology , embryo , genetics , gene
Development of the enteric nervous system is critical for normal functioning of the digestive system. In vertebrates, enteric precursors originate from the neural crest and migrate into the digestive system. Enteric neurons enable the digestive system to sense and respond to local conditions without the need for central nervous system input. Here we describe major steps in differentiation of the zebrafish enteric nervous system. During migration and neural differentiation of enteric precursors, we identify regions of the enteric nervous system in different phases of differentiation. Early in migration, a small group of anterior enteric neurons are first to form. This is followed by an anterior to posterior wave of enteric neural differentiation later in the migratory phase. Enteric precursors continue proliferating and differentiating into the third day of embryogenesis. nNOS neurons form early while serotonin neurons form late toward the end of enteric neural differentiation. Numbers of enteric neurons increase gradually except during periods of circular and longitudinal intestinal smooth muscle differentiation. genesis 46:484–498, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.