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Molecular Determinants of Dorsal Spinal Cord Interneurons Specified by Atoh1 (Math1)

ABSTRACT: Neural basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factors are important for the differentiation and cell type specification of neurons. They are thought to share direct downstream targets in their common role as neuronal differentiation factors, but have distinct targets with respect to their cell type specific roles. Little is known about distinct cell-type specific bHLH targets as previous work did not distinguish these from common targets. Based on previous genetic evidence, we hypothesize that bHLH transcription factors have unique targets for their function in regulating neuronal sub-type specification. Atoh1 (Math1) is a bHLH transcription factor that specifies different cell types of the proprioceptive pathway in mammals such as the dorsal interneuron 1 population of the developing neural tube. Using microarray analyses of neighboring specific bHLH sorted populations from developing mouse neural tubes, we determine transcripts unique to the Atoh1-derived population and not those common to bHLH transcription factors in related neural progenitor populations. Chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by sequencing (ChIP-seq) experiments of native tissue followed by enhancer reporter analyses identified five direct cell-type specific targets of Atoh1 in vivo: Klf7, Rab15, Rassf4, Selm, and Smad7, along with their Atoh1-responsive enhancers. These Atoh1 targets were found from native tissue in the appropriate developmental context and have diverse functions that range from transcription factors to regulators of endocytosis and signaling pathways. Only Rab15 and Selm are expressed across several different Atoh1-specified cell types including external granule cells (EGL) in the developing cerebellum, hair cells of the inner ear, and Merkel cells, demonstrating that even within Atoh1 lineages, not all Atoh1 specific targets are shared. Our work establishes on a molecular level that the neuronal differentiation bHLH transcription factors also have distinct targets for their roles in neuronal sub-type specification. From this work, we can begin to address how bHLH transcription factors are able to specify unique cell types and initiate programs that organize neuronal diversity.

ORGANISM(S): Mus musculus

PROVIDER: GSE23089 | GEO | 2011/07/27

SECONDARY ACCESSION(S): PRJNA131667

REPOSITORIES: GEO

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Project description:Neural basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factors are important for the differentiation and cell type specification of neurons. They are thought to share direct downstream targets in their common role as neuronal differentiation factors, but have distinct targets with respect to their cell type specific roles. Little is known about distinct cell-type specific bHLH targets as previous work did not distinguish these from common targets. Based on previous genetic evidence, we hypothesize that bHLH transcription factors have unique targets for their function in regulating neuronal sub-type specification. Atoh1 (Math1) is a bHLH transcription factor that specifies different cell types of the proprioceptive pathway in mammals such as the dorsal interneuron 1 population of the developing neural tube. Using microarray analyses of neighboring specific bHLH sorted populations from developing mouse neural tubes, we determine transcripts unique to the Atoh1-derived population and not those common to bHLH transcription factors in related neural progenitor populations. Chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by sequencing (ChIP-seq) experiments of native tissue followed by enhancer reporter analyses identified five direct cell-type specific targets of Atoh1 in vivo: Klf7, Rab15, Rassf4, Selm, and Smad7, along with their Atoh1-responsive enhancers. These Atoh1 targets were found from native tissue in the appropriate developmental context and have diverse functions that range from transcription factors to regulators of endocytosis and signaling pathways. Only Rab15 and Selm are expressed across several different Atoh1-specified cell types including external granule cells (EGL) in the developing cerebellum, hair cells of the inner ear, and Merkel cells, demonstrating that even within Atoh1 lineages, not all Atoh1 specific targets are shared. Our work establishes on a molecular level that the neuronal differentiation bHLH transcription factors also have distinct targets for their roles in neuronal sub-type specification. From this work, we can begin to address how bHLH transcription factors are able to specify unique cell types and initiate programs that organize neuronal diversity. Gene expression analysis: Two samples, Atoh1-GFP and dNeurog1-GFP, were analyzed. Two biological replicates of each. Atoh1-GFP transgenics are mice with GFP inserted into a BAC that drives GFP to the Atoh1-derived population of the developing neural tube marking the dorsal interneuron 1 population (Raft et al. Development 2007). dNeurog1-GFP transgenics are mice with a Neurog1 enhancer that drives GFP to the dorsal part of the developing neural tube marking the dorsal interneuron 2 population (Nakada et al. Dev Bio 2004). Chip-seq analysis: Series GSE22111

Project description:The proper balance of excitatory and inhibitory neurons is crucial to normal processing of somatosensory information in the dorsal spinal cord. Two neural basic helix-loop-helix transcription factors, Ascl1 and Ptf1a, are essential for generating the correct number and sub-type of neurons in multiple regions of the nervous system. M-BM- In the dorsal spinal cord, Ascl1 and Ptf1a have contrasting functions in specifying inhibitory versus excitatory neurons. To understand how Ascl1 and Ptf1a function in these processes, we identified their direct transcriptional targets genome-wide in the embryonic mouse neural tube using ChIP-Seq and RNA-Seq. We show that Ascl1 and Ptf1a regulate the specification of excitatory and inhibitory neurons in the dorsal spinal cord through direct regulation of distinct homeodomain transcription factors known for their function in neuronal sub-type specification. Besides their roles in regulating these homeodomain factors, Ascl1 and Ptf1a each function differently during neuronal development with Ascl1 directly regulating genes with roles in several steps of the neurogenic program including, Notch signaling, neuronal differentiation, axon guidance, and synapse formation. In contrast, Ptf1a directly regulates genes encoding components of the neurotransmitter machinery in inhibitory neurons, and other later aspects of neural development distinct from those regulated by Ascl1. Moreover, Ptf1a represses the excitatory neuronal fate by directly repressing several targets of Ascl1. Examination of the Ascl1 and Ptf1a bound sequences shows they are enriched for a common E-Box with a GC core and with additional motifs used by Sox, Rfx, Pou, and Homeodomain factors. Ptf1a bound sequences are uniquely enriched in an E-Box with a GA/TC core and in the binding motif for its co-factor Rbpj, providing two keys to specificity of Ptf1a binding. The direct transcriptional targets identified for Ascl1 and Ptf1a provide a molecular understanding for how they function in neuronal development, particularly as key regulators of homeodomain transcription factors required for neuronal sub-type specification. Examination of gene expression in Ascl1 and Ptf1a lineage cells in the developing neural tube.

Project description:The proper balance of excitatory and inhibitory neurons is crucial to normal processing of somatosensory information in the dorsal spinal cord. Two neural basic helix-loop-helix transcription factors, Ascl1 and Ptf1a, are essential for generating the correct number and sub-type of neurons in multiple regions of the nervous system. M-BM- In the dorsal spinal cord, Ascl1 and Ptf1a have contrasting functions in specifying inhibitory versus excitatory neurons. To understand how Ascl1 and Ptf1a function in these processes, we identified their direct transcriptional targets genome-wide in the embryonic mouse neural tube using ChIP-Seq and RNA-Seq. We show that Ascl1 and Ptf1a regulate the specification of excitatory and inhibitory neurons in the dorsal spinal cord through direct regulation of distinct homeodomain transcription factors known for their function in neuronal sub-type specification. Besides their roles in regulating these homeodomain factors, Ascl1 and Ptf1a each function differently during neuronal development with Ascl1 directly regulating genes with roles in several steps of the neurogenic program including, Notch signaling, neuronal differentiation, axon guidance, and synapse formation. In contrast, Ptf1a directly regulates genes encoding components of the neurotransmitter machinery in inhibitory neurons, and other later aspects of neural development distinct from those regulated by Ascl1. Moreover, Ptf1a represses the excitatory neuronal fate by directly repressing several targets of Ascl1. Examination of the Ascl1 and Ptf1a bound sequences shows they are enriched for a common E-Box with a GC core and with additional motifs used by Sox, Rfx, Pou, and Homeodomain factors. Ptf1a bound sequences are uniquely enriched in an E-Box with a GA/TC core and in the binding motif for its co-factor Rbpj, providing two keys to specificity of Ptf1a binding. The direct transcriptional targets identified for Ascl1 and Ptf1a provide a molecular understanding for how they function in neuronal development, particularly as key regulators of homeodomain transcription factors required for neuronal sub-type specification. Examination of Ascl1 and Ptf1a genome-wide binding in developing neural tube.

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Molecular Determinants of Dorsal Spinal Cord Interneurons Specified by Atoh1 (Math1)

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