Nerve signaling regulates basal keratinocyte proliferation in the blastema apical epithelial cap in the axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum)

► Keratinocytes of the AEC acquire their function coincident with exiting the cell cycle. ► Cell cycle withdrawal is induced and maintained by nerve signaling. ► Gap junctions between keratinocytes are associated with cell cycle withdrawal. ► Cell cycle withdrawal occurs in cells of signaling centers during limb development.