Neuregulin-1 is a chemoattractant and chemokinetic molecule for trunk neural crest cells.

Background: Trunk neural crest cells migrate rapidly along characteristic pathways within the developing vertebrate embryo. Proper trunk neural crest cell migration is necessary for the morphogenesis of much of the peripheral nervous system, melanocytes, and the adrenal medulla. Numerous molecules help guide trunk neural crest cell migration throughout the early embryo. Results: The trophic factor NRG1 is a chemoattractant through in vitro chemotaxis assays and in vivo silencing via a DN-erbB receptor. Interestingly, we also observed changes in migratory responses consistent with a chemokinetic effect of NRG1 in trunk neural crest velocity. Conclusions: NRG1 is a trunk neural crest cell chemoattractant and chemokinetic molecule. (C) 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.