The MITF paralog tfec is required in neural crest development for fate specification of the iridophore lineage from a multipotent pigment cell progenitor

Understanding how fate specification of distinct cell-types from multipotent progenitors occurs is a fundamental question in embryology. Neural crest stem cells (NCSCs) generate extraordinarily diverse derivatives, including multiple neural, skeletogenic and pigment cell fates. Key transcription factors extracellular signals specifying NCSC lineages remain to be identified, we have only little idea when they function together control fate. Zebrafish three neural crest-derived types, black melanocytes, light-reflecting iridophores yellow xanthophores, which offer powerful model for studying the molecular cellular mechanisms segregation. Mitfa has been identified as master regulator melanocyte Here, show that an Mitf-related factor, Tfec, functions iridophore Surprisingly, our phenotypic analysis tfec mutants demonstrates Tfec also initial all cell-types, although xanthophore recover later. We represses expression, revealing likely mechanism contributing decision between Our data are consistent with long-standing proposal tripotent progenitor restricted Moreover, investigate activation, maintenance NCSCs, demonstrating first time its role gene regulatory network forming maintaining early cells. In summary, build on previous work characterise governing development, establishing driving progenitors, while shedding light possible progressive restriction.