Project description:The Otx2 homeobox transcription factor is essential for gastrulation and early neural development. We generated Otx2 conditional knockout (cKO) mice to investigate its roles in telencephalon development after E9.0. We conducted transcriptional profiling and in situ hybridization to identify genes de-regulated in Otx2 cKO ventral forebrain. In parallel, we used ChIP-seq to identify enhancer elements, OTX2 binding motif, and which de-regulated genes are likely direct targets of Otx2 transcriptional regulation. We found that Otx2 was essential in septum specification; regulation of Fgf signaling in the rostral telencephalon; and medial ganglionic eminence (MGE) patterning, neurogenesis, and oligodendrogenesis. Within the MGE, Otx2 was required for ventral but not dorsal identity; this is the first demonstration of a transcription factor that contributes to regional patterning within the MGE. Microdissected subpallium (septum, MGE, and LGE ) from wildtype E12.5 CD-1 embryos was used in three independentanti-OTX2 ChIP-seq experiments.
Project description:The Otx2 homeobox transcription factor is essential for gastrulation and early neural development. We generated Otx2 conditional knockout (cKO) mice to investigate its roles in telencephalon development after E9.0. We conducted transcriptional profiling and in situ hybridization to identify genes de-regulated in Otx2 cKO ventral forebrain. In parallel, we used ChIP-seq to identify enhancer elements, OTX2 binding motif, and which de-regulated genes are likely direct targets of Otx2 transcriptional regulation. We found that Otx2 was essential in septum specification; regulation of Fgf signaling in the rostral telencephalon; and medial ganglionic eminence (MGE) patterning, neurogenesis, and oligodendrogenesis. Within the MGE, Otx2 was required for ventral but not dorsal identity; this is the first demonstration of a transcription factor that contributes to regional patterning within the MGE.
Project description:The Otx2 homeobox transcription factor is essential for gastrulation and early neural development. We generated Otx2 conditional knockout (cKO) mice to investigate its roles in telencephalon development after E9.0. We conducted transcriptional profiling and in situ hybridization to identify genes de-regulated in Otx2 cKO ventral forebrain. In parallel, we used ChIP-seq to identify enhancer elements, OTX2 binding motif, and which de-regulated genes are likely direct targets of Otx2 transcriptional regulation. We found that Otx2 was essential in septum specification; regulation of Fgf signaling in the rostral telencephalon; and medial ganglionic eminence (MGE) patterning, neurogenesis, and oligodendrogenesis. Within the MGE, Otx2 was required for ventral but not dorsal identity; this is the first demonstration of a transcription factor that contributes to regional patterning within the MGE.
Project description:The embryonic basal ganglia generates multiple projection neurons and interneuron subtypes from distinct progenitor domains. Combinatorial interactions of transcription factors (TFs), regulatory elements (REs), and chromatin are thought to precisely regulate gene expression. In the medial ganglionic eminence (MGE), the NKX2-1 TF controls regional identity and, with LHX6, is necessary to specify pallidal projection neurons and forebrain interneurons. We dissected the molecular functions of NKX2-1 by defining its chromosomal binding regions, regulation of gene expression and epigenetic state. NKX2-1 binding at distal REs led to a repressed epigenetic state and transcriptional repression in the ventricular zone. Conversely, Nkx2-1 is required to establish a permissive chromatin state and transcriptional activation in the sub- ventricular and mantle zones. Moreover, combinatorial binding of NKX2-1 and LHX6 promotes transcriptionally permissive chromatin and activates genes expressed in cortical migrating interneurons. Our integrated approach provides a foundation for elucidating transcriptional networks guiding the development of the MGE and its descendants.
Project description:The embryonic basal ganglia generates multiple projection neurons and interneuron subtypes from distinct progenitor domains. Combinatorial interactions of transcription factors (TFs), regulatory elements (REs), and chromatin are thought to precisely regulate gene expression. In the medial ganglionic eminence (MGE), the NKX2-1 TF controls regional identity and, with LHX6, is necessary to specify pallidal projection neurons and forebrain interneurons. We dissected the molecular functions of NKX2-1 by defining its chromosomal binding regions, regulation of gene expression and epigenetic state. NKX2-1 binding at distal REs led to a repressed epigenetic state and transcriptional repression in the ventricular zone. Conversely, Nkx2-1 is required to establish a permissive chromatin state and transcriptional activation in the sub- ventricular and mantle zones. Moreover, combinatorial binding of NKX2-1 and LHX6 promotes transcriptionally permissive chromatin and activates genes expressed in cortical migrating interneurons. Our integrated approach provides a foundation for elucidating transcriptional networks guiding the development of the MGE and its descendants.
Project description:We demonstrate using conditional mutagenesis that Pbx1, with and without Pbx2+/ sensitization, regulates regional identity and laminar patterning of the developing mouse neocortex in cortical progenitors (Emx1-Cre) and in newly generated neurons (Nex1-Cre). Pbx1/2 mutants have three salient molecular phenotypes of cortical regional and laminar organization: hypoplasia of the frontal cortex, ventral expansion of the dorsomedial cortex, and ventral expansion of Reelin expression in the cortical plate of the frontal cortex, concomitant with an inversion of cortical layering in the rostral cortex. Molecular analyses, including PBX ChIP-seq, provide evidence that PBX promotes frontal cortex identity by repressing genes that promote dorsocaudal fate. Chromatin immunoprecipitation was performed using antibody against Pbx1/2/3/ (sc-888, Santa Cruz). Wild type E12.5 mouse whole cortex was used for the analysis.
Project description:We demonstrate using conditional mutagenesis that Pbx1, with and without Pbx2+/ sensitization, regulates regional identity and laminar patterning of the developing mouse neocortex in cortical progenitors (Emx1-Cre) and in newly generated neurons (Nex1-Cre). Pbx1/2 mutants have three salient molecular phenotypes of cortical regional and laminar organization: hypoplasia of the frontal cortex, ventral expansion of the dorsomedial cortex, and ventral expansion of Reelin expression in the cortical plate of the frontal cortex, concomitant with an inversion of cortical layering in the rostral cortex. Molecular analyses, including PBX ChIP-seq, provide evidence that PBX promotes frontal cortex identity by repressing genes that promote dorsocaudal fate. Chromatin immunoprecipitation was performed using antibody against Pbx1/2/3 (sc-888, Santa Cruz). Wild type E15.5 mouse whole cortex was used for the analysis.