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Ventral neural patterning by Nkx homeobox genes: Nkx6.1 controls somatic motor neuron and ventral interneuron fates

2000; Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press; Volume: 14; Issue: 17 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1101/gad.820400

1549-5477

Maike Sander, Sussan Paydar, Johan Ericson, James Briscoe, Elizabeth Berber, Michael S. German, Thomas M. Jessell, John L.R. Rubenstein,

Neurogenesis and neuroplasticity mechanisms

There is growing evidence that sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling regulates ventral neuronal fate in the vertebrate central nervous system through Nkx -class homeodomain proteins. We have examined the patterns of neurogenesis in mice carrying a targeted mutation in Nkx6.1 . These mutants show a dorsal-to-ventral switch in the identity of progenitors and in the fate of postmitotic neurons. At many axial levels there is a complete block in the generation of V2 interneurons and motor neurons and a compensatory ventral expansion in the domain of generation of V1 neurons, demonstrating the essential functions of Nkx6.1 in regional patterning and neuronal fate determination.