Requirement for Brn-3.0 in differentiation and survival of sensory and motor neurons

Nature. 1996 Dec 12;384(6609):574-7. doi: 10.1038/384574a0.

Abstract

Specific families of transcription factors mediate events in the sequential maturation of distinct neuronal phenotypes. Members of one such family, the class IV POU domain transcription factor Brn-3.0, and two highly related factors Brn-3.1 and Brn-3.2, are differentially expressed in the developing and mature mammalian nervous system. The expression pattern of Brn-3.0 suggested that it has an important role in the development of sensory ganglia, as well as red nucleus, inferior olive, and nucleus ambiguus. Analysis of mice null for the Brn-3.0 locus shows that Brn-3.0 is required for the survival of subpopulations of proprioceptive, mechanoreceptive and nociceptive sensory neurons, where deletion of the gene affects neurotrophin and neurotrophin-receptor gene expression. Deletion of Brn-3.0 also alters either differentiation, migration or survival of specific central neuronal populations.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / genetics
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Cell Survival
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics*
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / physiology
  • Ganglia, Sensory / cytology
  • Ganglia, Sensory / embryology
  • Ganglia, Sensory / metabolism
  • Gene Expression
  • Gene Targeting
  • Medulla Oblongata / embryology
  • Medulla Oblongata / growth & development
  • Medulla Oblongata / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Motor Neurons / cytology*
  • Motor Neurons / metabolism
  • Nerve Growth Factors / physiology
  • Neurons, Afferent / cytology*
  • Neurons, Afferent / metabolism
  • Olivary Nucleus / embryology
  • Olivary Nucleus / growth & development
  • Olivary Nucleus / metabolism
  • Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / genetics
  • Receptor, Ciliary Neurotrophic Factor
  • Receptor, Nerve Growth Factor
  • Receptor, trkC
  • Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor / genetics
  • Red Nucleus / embryology
  • Red Nucleus / growth & development
  • Red Nucleus / metabolism
  • Stem Cells
  • Transcription Factor Brn-3
  • Transcription Factor Brn-3A
  • Transcription Factors / genetics*
  • Transcription Factors / physiology

Substances

  • Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Nerve Growth Factors
  • Pou4f1 protein, mouse
  • Receptor, Ciliary Neurotrophic Factor
  • Receptor, Nerve Growth Factor
  • Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor
  • Transcription Factor Brn-3
  • Transcription Factor Brn-3A
  • Transcription Factors
  • Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases
  • Receptor, trkC