Induction of the neural crest state: Control of stem cell attributes by gene regulatory, post-transcriptional and epigenetic interactions

► We review our current understanding of the formation of neural crest progenitors. ► Neural crest progenitors have attributes of stem cells and their formation is controlled by factors linked to pluripotency. ► Neural crest progenitors arise in a zone of competence at the neural plate border established by border specifier factors. ► Neural crest specifiers are used reiteratively and thus subject to context-dependent control mechanisms. ► Post-translational and epigenetic mechanisms contribute to formation of neural crest stem cells.