Non-canonical muscle stem cells and other lessons from regenerative vertebrates

In this perspective, we explore the developmental mechanisms of muscle stem cells in multiple non-mammalian vertebrate species, and we compare these phenomena to those in mammals. Particularly, we discuss two recently described populations of noncanonical muscle progenitors in regenerative vertebrates: one in zebrafish and one in axolotl. We discuss the capabilities of these two populations during muscle development and regeneration, including the implications for muscle repair in mammals. Devoto, S. H., Melancon, E., Eisen, J. S. & Westerfield, M. Identification of separate slow and fast muscle precursor cells in vivo, prior to somite formation. Development 122, 3371–3380 (1996). Cortes, F. et al. Cadherin-mediated differential cell a... [7328 chars]