The connectome of neural crest enhancers reveals regulatory features of signaling systems

The neural crest is a migratory stem cell population that gives rise to a wide array of cell types. The formation and differentiation of neural crest cells are controlled by a complex transcriptional network, which endows these cells with unique features such as multipotency and stemness. During migration, signaling systems modulate subcircuits within this network to ensure that neural crest cells differentiate at the right time and place. The wingless (Wnt) signaling pathway, in particular, plays an important role in defining developmental potential of these cells but, surprisingly few direct Wnt-target genes have been identified in the neural crest transcriptional network. To address this, we generated a high-resolution contact map of active enhancers in the neural crest and identified the direct targets of Wnt signaling in the neural crest genome via CUT&RUN for its nuclear effectors LEF1 and CTNNB1 (bCat).