Combinatorial roles of olig2 and neurogenin2 in the coordinated induction of pan-neuronal and subtype-specific properties of motoneurons

R Mizuguchi; M Sugimori; H Takebayashi; H Kosako; M Nagao; S Yoshida; Y Nabeshima; K Shimamura; M Nakafuku

doi:10.1016/s0896-6273(01)00413-5

Combinatorial roles of olig2 and neurogenin2 in the coordinated induction of pan-neuronal and subtype-specific properties of motoneurons

Neuron. 2001 Sep 13;31(5):757-71. doi: 10.1016/s0896-6273(01)00413-5.

Authors

R Mizuguchi¹, M Sugimori, H Takebayashi, H Kosako, M Nagao, S Yoshida, Y Nabeshima, K Shimamura, M Nakafuku

Affiliation

¹ Department of Neurobioloy, The University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, 113-0033, Tokyo, Japan.

PMID: 11567615
DOI: 10.1016/s0896-6273(01)00413-5

Abstract

Distinct classes of neurons are generated at defined times and positions during development of the nervous system. It remains elusive how specification of neuronal identity coordinates with acquisition of pan-neuronal properties. Here we show that basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factors Olig2 and Neurogenin2 (Ngn2) play vital roles in the coordinated induction of pan-neuronal and subtype-specific properties of motoneurons. Olig2 and Ngn2 are specifically coexpressed in motoneuron progenitors. Misexpression studies in chick demonstrate the specific, combinatorial actions of Olig2 and Ngn2 in motoneuron generation. Our results further revealed crossregulatory interactions between bHLH and homeodomain transcription factors in the specification of motoneurons. We suggest that distinct classes of transcription factors collaborate to generate motoneurons in the ventral neural tube.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Animals
Base Sequence / physiology
Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors
Body Patterning / genetics
Cell Differentiation / genetics*
Central Nervous System / cytology
Central Nervous System / embryology*
Central Nervous System / metabolism
Chick Embryo
DNA, Complementary / chemistry
DNA, Complementary / isolation & purification
DNA, Complementary / metabolism
Eye Proteins
Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / genetics*
Helix-Loop-Helix Motifs / genetics*
Homeodomain Proteins / genetics
Homeodomain Proteins / metabolism
Immunohistochemistry
Molecular Sequence Data
Motor Neurons / cytology*
Motor Neurons / metabolism
Mutation, Missense / physiology
Nerve Tissue Proteins* / genetics*
PAX6 Transcription Factor
Paired Box Transcription Factors
RNA, Messenger / metabolism
Rats
Repressor Proteins
Rhombencephalon / cytology
Rhombencephalon / embryology
Rhombencephalon / metabolism
Stem Cells / cytology*
Stem Cells / metabolism

Substances

Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors
DNA, Complementary
Eye Proteins
Homeodomain Proteins
Nerve Tissue Proteins
PAX6 Transcription Factor
Paired Box Transcription Factors
Pax6 protein, rat
RNA, Messenger
Repressor Proteins

Associated data

GENBANK/AY035369