Differentiation and Subtype Specification of Enteric Neurons: Current Knowledge of Transcription Factors, Signaling Molecules and Signaling Pathways Involved

Abstract

The ENS contains a network of neurons and glial cells which are dispersed over two major ganglionated and interconnected plexuses, the myenteric (Auerbach) plexus, and the submucosal (Meissner) plexus. In larger mammals, the submucosal plexus is further subdivided into smaller plexuses [4,[6][7][8][9][10]. The neurons of the myenteric plexus are primarily involved in GI motility regulation, while the neurons of the submucosal plexus are involved in the regulation of secretion and vascular tone [3,6,11,12]. The ENS is a highly complex nervous system of which the functioning is dependent on many different neuronal subtypes. To keep an overview of the neuronal subtypes, they are categorized in different classes according to certain characteristics. Among these features are their morphology, electrical properties, chemical coding, and

The Brain-Like Enteric Nervous System

“…Studies are increasing to determine which molecules are involved in cell differentiation, such as the transcription factors and signaling pathways. Many of these molecules are for neuronal differentiation, as the SRY-like high-mobility group (HMG)-box (Sox) family, Sox6, Sox10, Mash1 (now called Ascl1), Hand 2; and those known for glial differentiation, as the GDNF, Neurturin, and the signaling pathway Ret -Rearranged during transfection -Notch [9].…”