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Dlx1 and Dlx2 control neuronal versus oligodendroglial cell fate acquisition in the developing forebrain.

ABSTRACT: Progenitors within the ventral telencephalon can generate GABAergic neurons and oligodendrocytes, but regulation of the neuron-glial switch is poorly understood. We investigated the combinatorial expression and function of Dlx1&2, Olig2, and Mash1 transcription factors in the ventral telencephalon. We show that Dlx homeobox transcription factors, required for GABAergic interneuron production, repress oligodendrocyte precursor cell (OPC) formation by acting on a common progenitor to determine neuronal versus oligodendroglial cell fate acquisition. We demonstrate that Dlx1&2 negatively regulate Olig2-dependant OPC formation and that Mash1 promotes OPC formation by restricting the number of Dlx+ progenitors. Progenitors transplanted from Dlx1&2 mutant ventral telencephalon into newborn wild-type mice do not produce neurons but differentiate into myelinating oligodendrocytes that survive into adulthood. Our results identify another role for Dlx genes as modulators of neuron versus oligodendrocyte development in the ventral embryonic forebrain.

SUBMITTER: Petryniak MA

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2039927 | biostudies-literature | 2007 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Dlx1 and Dlx2 control neuronal versus oligodendroglial cell fate acquisition in the developing forebrain.

Petryniak Magdalena A MA Potter Gregory B GB Rowitch David H DH Rubenstein John L R JL

Neuron 20070801 3

Progenitors within the ventral telencephalon can generate GABAergic neurons and oligodendrocytes, but regulation of the neuron-glial switch is poorly understood. We investigated the combinatorial expression and function of Dlx1&2, Olig2, and Mash1 transcription factors in the ventral telencephalon. We show that Dlx homeobox transcription factors, required for GABAergic interneuron production, repress oligodendrocyte precursor cell (OPC) formation by acting on a common progenitor to determine neu ...[more]

PMID: 17678855

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Project description:The Dlx homeobox genes have central roles in controlling patterning and differentiation of the brain and craniofacial primordia. In the brain, loss of Dlx function results in defects in the production, migration and differentiation of GABAergic neurons, that can lead to epilepsy. In the branchial arches, loss of Dlx function leads to craniofacial malformations that include trigeminal axon pathfinding defects. To determine how these genes function, we wish to identify the transcriptional circuitry that lies downstream of these transcription factors by comparing gene expression in wild type with Dlx mutant CNS and craniofacial tissues. 1) Compare gene expression in the maxillay branch of the first branchial arch (BA) of E10.5 wild type and Dlx2 -/- mutants. 2) Compare gene expression in the maxillary branch of the first BA of E10.5 wild type and Dlx1/2 -/- mutants. 3) Compare gene expression in wild type maxillary and mandibular branchial arches. 4) Compare gene expressionin mandibular branch of Dlx5/6 -/- mutants with wild type mandibular branch. The Dlx transcription factors are essential for controlling patterning of the brain and craniofacial primordia. In the brain, they control differentiation of GABAergic neurons of the basal ganglia. In the branchial arches, they control regional patterning. I hypothesize that there will be some conserved and some divergent mechanisms that the Dlx genes use in controlling brain and craniofacial development. We have already performed array analyses on Dlx function in the developing basal ganglia (with TGEN) by comparing expressed genes in wild type and Dlx1/2 mutants. Here we will compare gene expression in the brachial arches of wild type and Dlx mutant mice. 1) Generate E10.5 mouse embryos that are either wild type, Dlx2-/-, Dlx1/2 -/- or Dlx5/6 -/-. 2) Determine genotype by PCR. 3) Dissect branchial arches from the different genotypes. 4) Separate maxillary and mandibular branch of each branchial arch. 5) Prepare total RNA from the specimens. Obtain sufficient tissue to obtain 10 ug of total RNA - based on previous experience we anticipate that this will require ~ 10 branchial arches. We will pool the tissue from different embryos of the same genotype. 6) Send total RNA to TGEN for probe preparation, hybridization and array result analysis.

Project description:Different neuronal types within brain motor areas contribute to the generation of complex motor behaviors. A widely studied songbird forebrain nucleus (HVC) has been recognized as fundamental in shaping the precise timing characteristics of birdsong. This is based, among other evidence, on the stretching and the "breaking" of song structure when HVC is cooled. However, little is known about the temperature effects that take place in its neurons. To address this, we investigated the dynamics of HVC both experimentally and computationally. We developed a technique where simultaneous electrophysiological recordings were performed during temperature manipulation of HVC. We recorded spontaneous activity and found three effects: widening of the spike shape, decrease of the firing rate and change in the interspike interval distribution. All these effects could be explained with a detailed conductance based model of all the neurons present in HVC. Temperature dependence of the ionic channel time constants explained the first effect, while the second was based in the changes of the maximal conductance using single synaptic excitatory inputs. The last phenomenon, only emerged after introducing a more realistic synaptic input to the inhibitory interneurons. Two timescales were present in the interspike distributions. The behavior of one timescale was reproduced with different input balances received form the excitatory neurons, whereas the other, which disappears with cooling, could not be found assuming poissonian synaptic inputs. Furthermore, the computational model shows that the bursting of the excitatory neurons arises naturally at normal brain temperature and that they have an intrinsic delay at low temperatures. The same effect occurs at single synapses, which may explain song stretching. These findings shed light on the temperature dependence of neuronal dynamics and present a comprehensive framework to study neuronal connectivity. This study, which is based on intrinsic neuronal characteristics, may help to understand emergent behavioral changes.

Dataset Information

Dlx1 and Dlx2 control neuronal versus oligodendroglial cell fate acquisition in the developing forebrain.

Publications

Dlx1 and Dlx2 control neuronal versus oligodendroglial cell fate acquisition in the developing forebrain.

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