Genetic model system studies of the development of the enteric nervous system, gut motility and Hirschsprung's disease

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Grzegorz Burzynski, Emory University; Iain Shepherd, Emory University; Hideki Enomoto, RIKEN Center for Developmental Biology
• Language: English
• Date: 2009-02-01
• Publisher: Wiley: 12 months
• Publication Version: Author Accepted Manuscript (After Peer Review)
• Copyright Statement: © 2009 The Authors.
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2982.2008.01256.x
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: Neurogastroenterology and Motility
• ISSN: 1350-1925
• Volume: 21
• Issue: 2
• Start Page: 113
• End Page: 127
• Keywords: Gastrointestinal Motility; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-ret; Models, Genetic; Neural Crest; Hirschsprung Disease; Humans; Animals; Body Patterning; Microarray Analysis; Animals, Genetically Modified; Signal Transduction; Gastrointestinal Tract; Enteric Nervous System
• Research Categories: Biology, Neuroscience; Biology, Genetics

Abstract

The enteric nervous system (ENS) is the largest and most complicated subdivision of the peripheral nervous system. Its action is necessary to regulate many of the functions of the gastrointestinal tract including its motility. Whilst the ENS has been studied extensively by developmental biologists, neuroscientists and physiologists for several decades it has only been since the early 1990s that the molecular and genetic basis of ENS development has begun to emerge. Central to this understanding has been the use of genetic model organisms. In this article, we will discuss recent advances that have been achieved using both mouse and zebrafish model genetic systems that have led to new insights into ENS development and the genetic basis of Hirschsprung's disease.