1
|
Altbürger C, Rath M, Wehrle J, Driever W. The proneural factors Ascl1a and Ascl1b contribute to the terminal differentiation of dopaminergic GABAergic dual transmitter neurons in zebrafish. Dev Biol 2024; 505:58-74. [PMID: 37931393 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2023.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023]
Abstract
The proneural factor Ascl1 is involved in several steps of neurogenesis, from neural progenitor maintenance to initiation of terminal differentiation and neuronal subtype specification. In neural progenitor cells, Ascl1 initiates the cell-cycle exit of progenitors, and contributes to their differentiation into mainly GABAergic neurons. Several catecholaminergic neuron groups in the forebrain of zebrafish use GABA as co-transmitter, but a potential role of the two paralogues Ascl1a and Ascl1b in their neurogenesis is not understood. Here, we show that ascl1a, ascl1b double mutant embryos develop a significantly reduced number of neurons in all GABAergic and catecholaminergic dual transmitter neuron anatomical clusters in the fore- and hindbrain, while glutamatergic catecholaminergic clusters develop normally. However, none of the affected catecholaminergic cell clusters are lost completely, suggesting an impairment in progenitor pools, or a requirement of Ascl1a/b for differentiation of a subset of neurons in each cluster. Early progenitors which are dlx2a+, fezf2 + or emx2 + are not reduced whereas late progenitors and differentiating neurons marked by the expression of dlx5a, isl1 and arxa are severely reduced in ascl1a, ascl1b double mutant embryos. This suggests that Ascl1a and Ascl1b play only a minor or no role in the maintenance of their progenitor pools, but rather contribute to the initiation of terminal differentiation of GABAergic catecholaminergic neurons.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christian Altbürger
- Department of Developmental Biology, Faculty of Biology, Institute Biology 1, Albert Ludwigs University, Freiburg, Hauptstrasse 1, 79104, Freiburg, Germany; CIBSS and BIOSS - Centres for Biological Signalling Studies, University of Freiburg, Schänzlestrasse 18, 79104, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Meta Rath
- Department of Developmental Biology, Faculty of Biology, Institute Biology 1, Albert Ludwigs University, Freiburg, Hauptstrasse 1, 79104, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Johanna Wehrle
- Department of Developmental Biology, Faculty of Biology, Institute Biology 1, Albert Ludwigs University, Freiburg, Hauptstrasse 1, 79104, Freiburg, Germany; MeInBio Research Training Group, University of Freiburg, 79104, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Driever
- Department of Developmental Biology, Faculty of Biology, Institute Biology 1, Albert Ludwigs University, Freiburg, Hauptstrasse 1, 79104, Freiburg, Germany; CIBSS and BIOSS - Centres for Biological Signalling Studies, University of Freiburg, Schänzlestrasse 18, 79104, Freiburg, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Kilpinen S, Heliölä H, Achim K. Range of chromatin accessibility configurations are permissive of GABAergic fate acquisition in developing mouse brain. BMC Genomics 2023; 24:725. [PMID: 38036964 PMCID: PMC10691053 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-023-09836-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent single-cell -omics studies, both the differential activity of transcription factors regulating cell fate determination and differential genome activation have been tested for utility as descriptors of cell types. Naturally, genome accessibility and gene expression are interlinked. To understand the variability in genomic feature activation in the GABAergic neurons of different spatial origins, we have mapped accessible chromatin regions and mRNA expression in single cells derived from the developing mouse central nervous system (CNS). We first defined a reference set of open chromatin regions for scATAC-seq read quantitation across samples, allowing comparison of chromatin accessibility between brain regions and cell types directly. Second, we integrated the scATAC-seq and scRNA-seq data to form a unified resource of transcriptome and chromatin accessibility landscape for the cell types in di- and telencephalon, midbrain and anterior hindbrain of E14.5 mouse embryo. Importantly, we implemented resolution optimization at the clustering, and automatized the cell typing step. We show high level of concordance between the cell clustering based on the chromatin accessibility and the transcriptome in analyzed neuronal lineages, indicating that both genome and transcriptome features can be used for cell type definition. Hierarchical clustering by the similarity in accessible chromatin reveals that the genomic feature activation correlates with neurotransmitter phenotype, selector gene expression, cell differentiation stage and neuromere origins.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sami Kilpinen
- Molecular and Integrative Biosciences Research Programme, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Heidi Heliölä
- Molecular and Integrative Biosciences Research Programme, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Kaia Achim
- Molecular and Integrative Biosciences Research Programme, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Kim CN, Shin D, Wang A, Nowakowski TJ. Spatiotemporal molecular dynamics of the developing human thalamus. Science 2023; 382:eadf9941. [PMID: 37824646 PMCID: PMC10758299 DOI: 10.1126/science.adf9941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023]
Abstract
The thalamus plays a central coordinating role in the brain. Thalamic neurons are organized into spatially distinct nuclei, but the molecular architecture of thalamic development is poorly understood, especially in humans. To begin to delineate the molecular trajectories of cell fate specification and organization in the developing human thalamus, we used single-cell and multiplexed spatial transcriptomics. We show that molecularly defined thalamic neurons differentiate in the second trimester of human development and that these neurons organize into spatially and molecularly distinct nuclei. We identified major subtypes of glutamatergic neuron subtypes that are differentially enriched in anatomically distinct nuclei and six subtypes of γ-aminobutyric acid-mediated (GABAergic) neurons that are shared and distinct across thalamic nuclei.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chang N Kim
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
- Department of Anatomy, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
- Kavli Institute for Fundamental Neuroscience, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
- Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - David Shin
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
- Department of Anatomy, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
- Kavli Institute for Fundamental Neuroscience, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
- Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Albert Wang
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Tomasz J Nowakowski
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
- Department of Anatomy, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
- Kavli Institute for Fundamental Neuroscience, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
- Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Kim CN, Shin D, Wang A, Nowakowski TJ. Spatiotemporal molecular dynamics of the developing human thalamus. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.08.21.554174. [PMID: 37662287 PMCID: PMC10473600 DOI: 10.1101/2023.08.21.554174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/05/2023]
Abstract
The thalamus plays a central coordinating role in the brain. Thalamic neurons are organized into spatially-distinct nuclei, but the molecular architecture of thalamic development is poorly understood, especially in humans. To begin to delineate the molecular trajectories of cell fate specification and organization in the developing human thalamus, we used single cell and multiplexed spatial transcriptomics. Here we show that molecularly-defined thalamic neurons differentiate in the second trimester of human development, and that these neurons organize into spatially and molecularly distinct nuclei. We identify major subtypes of glutamatergic neuron subtypes that are differentially enriched in anatomically distinct nuclei. In addition, we identify six subtypes of GABAergic neurons that are shared and distinct across thalamic nuclei. One-Sentence Summary Single cell and spatial profiling of the developing thalamus in the first and second trimester yields molecular mechanisms of thalamic nuclei development.
Collapse
|
5
|
Cheung LYM, Menage L, Rizzoti K, Hamilton G, Dumontet T, Basham K, Daly AZ, Brinkmeier ML, Masser BE, Treier M, Cobb J, Delogu A, Lovell-Badge R, Hammer GD, Camper SA. Novel Candidate Regulators and Developmental Trajectory of Pituitary Thyrotropes. Endocrinology 2023; 164:bqad076. [PMID: 37183548 PMCID: PMC10227867 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqad076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Revised: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
The pituitary gland regulates growth, metabolism, reproduction, the stress response, uterine contractions, lactation, and water retention. It secretes hormones in response to hypothalamic input, end organ feedback, and diurnal cues. The mechanisms by which pituitary stem cells are recruited to proliferate, maintain quiescence, or differentiate into specific cell types, especially thyrotropes, are not well understood. We used single-cell RNA sequencing in juvenile P7 mouse pituitary cells to identify novel factors in pituitary cell populations, with a focus on thyrotropes and rare subtypes. We first observed cells coexpressing markers of both thyrotropes and gonadotropes, such as Pou1f1 and Nr5a1. This was validated in vivo by both immunohistochemistry and lineage tracing of thyrotropes derived from Nr5a1-Cre; mTmG mice and demonstrates that Nr5a1-progenitors give rise to a proportion of thyrotropes during development. Our data set also identifies novel factors expressed in pars distalis and pars tuberalis thyrotropes, including the Shox2b isoform in all thyrotropes and Sox14 specifically in Pou1f1-negative pars tuberalis thyrotropes. We have therefore used single-cell transcriptomics to determine a novel developmental trajectory for thyrotropes and potential novel regulators of thyrotrope populations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Leonard Y M Cheung
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Lucy Menage
- School of Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London SE5 8AF, UK
| | - Karine Rizzoti
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology and Developmental Genetics, The Francis Crick Institute, London NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Greg Hamilton
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary AB T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Typhanie Dumontet
- Training Program in Organogenesis, Center for Cell Plasticity and Organ Design, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology, and Diabetes, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Kaitlin Basham
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology, and Diabetes, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Current affiliation: Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Alexandre Z Daly
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Current affiliation is Vanguard, Valley Forge, PA 19482, USA
| | | | - Bailey E Masser
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Mathias Treier
- Max Delbrϋck Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC), 13092 Berlin, Germany
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - John Cobb
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary AB T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Alessio Delogu
- School of Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London SE5 8AF, UK
| | - Robin Lovell-Badge
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology and Developmental Genetics, The Francis Crick Institute, London NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Gary D Hammer
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology, and Diabetes, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Endocrine Oncology Program, Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Sally A Camper
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Huerga-Gómez I, Martini FJ, López-Bendito G. Building thalamic neuronal networks during mouse development. Front Neural Circuits 2023; 17:1098913. [PMID: 36817644 PMCID: PMC9936079 DOI: 10.3389/fncir.2023.1098913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The thalamic nuclear complex contains excitatory projection neurons and inhibitory local neurons, the two cell types driving the main circuits in sensory nuclei. While excitatory neurons are born from progenitors that reside in the proliferative zone of the developing thalamus, inhibitory local neurons are born outside the thalamus and they migrate there during development. In addition to these cell types, which occupy most of the thalamus, there are two small thalamic regions where inhibitory neurons target extra-thalamic regions rather than neighboring neurons, the intergeniculate leaflet and the parahabenular nucleus. Like excitatory thalamic neurons, these inhibitory neurons are derived from progenitors residing in the developing thalamus. The assembly of these circuits follows fine-tuned genetic programs and it is coordinated by extrinsic factors that help the cells find their location, associate with thalamic partners, and establish connections with their corresponding extra-thalamic inputs and outputs. In this review, we bring together what is currently known about the development of the excitatory and inhibitory components of the thalamocortical sensory system, in particular focusing on the visual pathway and thalamic interneurons in mice.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Irene Huerga-Gómez
- Instituto de Neurociencias de Alicante, Universidad Miguel Hernández-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (UMH-CSIC), Sant Joan d’Alacant, Spain
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
7
|
Wang R, Guo S, Yang L. Tal2 is required for generation of GABAergic neurons in the zebrafish midbrain. Dev Dyn 2023; 252:263-275. [PMID: 36063149 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Revised: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In the zebrafish midbrain, GABAergic neurons develop from precursors located in the nucleus of the medial longitudinal fasciculus (nMLF). However, the precise mechanisms that underline generation of the nMLF GABAergic neuron are poorly understood. RESULTS GABAergic neurons in the nMLF co-express transcription factors tal2, gata2a, gata3, and nkx1.2lb. The Nodal-related gene and shh signaling are required for differentiation of nMLF GABAergic neuron precursors. Tal2 is important for nMLF GABAergic neurogenesis. Disruption of Tal2, embryos completely lack the GABA-synthesizing enzyme glutamic acid decarboxylase 67 gene (gad67) expressing cells in the nMLF, and the whole nkx1.2lb expressing cells in the midbrain. Although almost all tal2-expressing cells in the diencephalon and/or nMLF are gata2a- and gata3-positive, simultaneous knockdown of gata2a and gata3 does not affect either tal2 or gad67 expression. CONCLUSIONS In the zebrafish midbrain, expression of tal2, gata2a, and/or gata3 is independent of each other. The function of gata2a and gata3 is dispensable for generation of GABAergic neuron in the nMLF. This suggests that the functional connections of the regulatory genes leading to generation of nMLF GABAergic neurons have diverged between mouse and zebrafish.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ruihong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Shaojuan Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Lixin Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, China
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Brock O, Gelegen C, Sully P, Salgarella I, Jager P, Menage L, Mehta I, Jęczmień-Łazur J, Djama D, Strother L, Coculla A, Vernon AC, Brickley S, Holland P, Cooke SF, Delogu A. A Role for Thalamic Projection GABAergic Neurons in Circadian Responses to Light. J Neurosci 2022; 42:9158-9179. [PMID: 36280260 PMCID: PMC9761691 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0112-21.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2021] [Revised: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
The thalamus is an important hub for sensory information and participates in sensory perception, regulation of attention, arousal and sleep. These functions are executed primarily by glutamatergic thalamocortical neurons that extend axons to the cortex and initiate cortico-thalamocortical connectional loops. However, the thalamus also contains projection GABAergic neurons that do not extend axons toward the cortex. Here, we have harnessed recent insight into the development of the intergeniculate leaflet (IGL) and the ventral lateral geniculate nucleus (LGv) to specifically target and manipulate thalamic projection GABAergic neurons in female and male mice. Our results show that thalamic GABAergic neurons of the IGL and LGv receive retinal input from diverse classes of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) but not from the M1 intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cell (ipRGC) type. We describe the synergistic role of the photoreceptor melanopsin and the thalamic neurons of the IGL/LGv in circadian entrainment to dim light. We identify a requirement for the thalamic IGL/LGv neurons in the rapid changes in vigilance states associated with circadian light transitions.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT The intergeniculate leaflet (IGL) and ventral lateral geniculate nucleus (LGv) are part of the extended circadian system and mediate some nonimage-forming visual functions. Here, we show that each of these structures has a thalamic (dorsal) as well as prethalamic (ventral) developmental origin. We map the retinal input to thalamus-derived cells in the IGL/LGv complex and discover that while RGC input is dominant, this is not likely to originate from M1ipRGCs. We implicate thalamic cells in the IGL/LGv in vigilance state transitions at circadian light changes and in overt behavioral entrainment to dim light, the latter exacerbated by concomitant loss of melanopsin expression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Olivier Brock
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London SE5 9NU, United Kingdom
| | - Cigdem Gelegen
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London SE5 9NU, United Kingdom
| | - Peter Sully
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London SE5 9NU, United Kingdom
| | - Irene Salgarella
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London SE5 9NU, United Kingdom
| | - Polona Jager
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London SE5 9NU, United Kingdom
| | - Lucy Menage
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London SE5 9NU, United Kingdom
| | - Ishita Mehta
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London SE5 9NU, United Kingdom
| | - Jagoda Jęczmień-Łazur
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London SE5 9NU, United Kingdom
| | - Deyl Djama
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London SE5 9NU, United Kingdom
- Department of Life Sciences and Centre for Neurotechnology, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
| | - Lauren Strother
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London SE5 9NU, United Kingdom
| | - Angelica Coculla
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London SE5 9NU, United Kingdom
| | - Anthony C Vernon
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London SE5 9NU, United Kingdom
- MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, King's College London, London SE1 1UL, United Kingdom
| | - Stephen Brickley
- Department of Life Sciences and Centre for Neurotechnology, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
| | - Philip Holland
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London SE5 9NU, United Kingdom
- Wolfson Centre for Age Related Disease, King's College London, London SE1 1UL, United Kingdom
| | - Samuel F Cooke
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London SE5 9NU, United Kingdom
- MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, King's College London, London SE1 1UL, United Kingdom
| | - Alessio Delogu
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London SE5 9NU, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Medina-Cano D, Corrigan EK, Glenn RA, Islam MT, Lin Y, Kim J, Cho H, Vierbuchen T. Rapid and robust directed differentiation of mouse epiblast stem cells into definitive endoderm and forebrain organoids. Development 2022; 149:dev200561. [PMID: 35899604 PMCID: PMC10655922 DOI: 10.1242/dev.200561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Directed differentiation of pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) is a powerful model system for deconstructing embryonic development. Although mice are the most advanced mammalian model system for genetic studies of embryonic development, state-of-the-art protocols for directed differentiation of mouse PSCs into defined lineages require additional steps and generates target cell types with lower purity than analogous protocols for human PSCs, limiting their application as models for mechanistic studies of development. Here, we examine the potential of mouse epiblast stem cells cultured in media containing Wnt pathway inhibitors as a starting point for directed differentiation. As a proof of concept, we focused our efforts on two specific cell/tissue types that have proven difficult to generate efficiently and reproducibly from mouse embryonic stem cells: definitive endoderm and neural organoids. We present new protocols for rapid generation of nearly pure definitive endoderm and forebrain-patterned neural organoids that model the development of prethalamic and hippocampal neurons. These differentiation models present new possibilities for combining mouse genetic tools with in vitro differentiation to characterize molecular and cellular mechanisms of embryonic development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Medina-Cano
- Developmental Biology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute for Cancer Research, New York, NY 10065, USA
- Center for Stem Cell Biology, Sloan Kettering Institute for Cancer Research, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Emily K. Corrigan
- Developmental Biology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute for Cancer Research, New York, NY 10065, USA
- Center for Stem Cell Biology, Sloan Kettering Institute for Cancer Research, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Rachel A. Glenn
- Developmental Biology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute for Cancer Research, New York, NY 10065, USA
- Center for Stem Cell Biology, Sloan Kettering Institute for Cancer Research, New York, NY 10065, USA
- Cell and Developmental Biology Program, Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Cornell University, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Mohammed T. Islam
- Developmental Biology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute for Cancer Research, New York, NY 10065, USA
- Center for Stem Cell Biology, Sloan Kettering Institute for Cancer Research, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Yuan Lin
- Developmental Biology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute for Cancer Research, New York, NY 10065, USA
- Center for Stem Cell Biology, Sloan Kettering Institute for Cancer Research, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Juliet Kim
- Developmental Biology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute for Cancer Research, New York, NY 10065, USA
- Center for Stem Cell Biology, Sloan Kettering Institute for Cancer Research, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Hyunwoo Cho
- Developmental Biology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute for Cancer Research, New York, NY 10065, USA
- Center for Stem Cell Biology, Sloan Kettering Institute for Cancer Research, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Thomas Vierbuchen
- Developmental Biology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute for Cancer Research, New York, NY 10065, USA
- Center for Stem Cell Biology, Sloan Kettering Institute for Cancer Research, New York, NY 10065, USA
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Partanen J, Achim K. Neurons gating behavior—developmental, molecular and functional features of neurons in the Substantia Nigra pars reticulata. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:976209. [PMID: 36148148 PMCID: PMC9485944 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.976209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The Substantia Nigra pars reticulata (SNpr) is the major information output site of the basal ganglia network and instrumental for the activation and adjustment of movement, regulation of the behavioral state and response to reward. Due to both overlapping and unique input and output connections, the SNpr might also have signal integration capacity and contribute to action selection. How the SNpr regulates these multiple functions remains incompletely understood. The SNpr is located in the ventral midbrain and is composed primarily of inhibitory GABAergic projection neurons that are heterogeneous in their properties. In addition, the SNpr contains smaller populations of other neurons, including glutamatergic neurons. Here, we discuss regionalization of the SNpr, in particular the division of the SNpr neurons to anterior (aSNpr) and posterior (pSNpr) subtypes, which display differences in many of their features. We hypothesize that unique developmental and molecular characteristics of the SNpr neuron subtypes correlate with both region-specific connections and notable functional specializations of the SNpr. Variation in both the genetic control of the SNpr neuron development as well as signals regulating cell migration and axon guidance may contribute to the functional diversity of the SNpr neurons. Therefore, insights into the various aspects of differentiation of the SNpr neurons can increase our understanding of fundamental brain functions and their defects in neurological and psychiatric disorders, including movement and mood disorders, as well as epilepsy.
Collapse
|
11
|
Kirjavainen A, Singh P, Lahti L, Seja P, Lelkes Z, Makkonen A, Kilpinen S, Ono Y, Salminen M, Aitta-Aho T, Stenberg T, Molchanova S, Achim K, Partanen J. Gata2, Nkx2-2 and Skor2 form a transcription factor network regulating development of a midbrain GABAergic neuron subtype with characteristics of REM-sleep regulatory neurons. Development 2022; 149:275960. [DOI: 10.1242/dev.200937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT
The midbrain reticular formation (MRF) is a mosaic of diverse GABAergic and glutamatergic neurons that have been associated with a variety of functions, including sleep regulation. However, the molecular characteristics and development of MRF neurons are poorly understood. As the transcription factor, Gata2 is required for the development of all GABAergic neurons derived from the embryonic mouse midbrain, we hypothesized that the genes expressed downstream of Gata2 could contribute to the diversification of GABAergic neuron subtypes in this brain region. Here, we show that Gata2 is required for the expression of several GABAergic lineage-specific transcription factors, including Nkx2-2 and Skor2, which are co-expressed in a restricted group of post-mitotic GABAergic precursors in the MRF. Both Gata2 and Nkx2-2 function is required for Skor2 expression in GABAergic precursors. In the adult mouse and rat midbrain, Nkx2-2-and Skor2-expressing GABAergic neurons locate at the boundary of the ventrolateral periaqueductal gray and the MRF, an area containing REM-off neurons regulating REM sleep. In addition to the characteristic localization, Skor2+ cells increase their activity upon REM-sleep inhibition, send projections to the dorsolateral pons, a region associated with sleep control, and are responsive to orexins, consistent with the known properties of midbrain REM-off neurons.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna Kirjavainen
- Molecular and Integrative Biosciences Research Programme 1 , Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, PO Box 56 , , Helsinki , Finland
- FIN00014-University of Helsinki 1 , Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, PO Box 56 , , Helsinki , Finland
| | - Parul Singh
- Molecular and Integrative Biosciences Research Programme 1 , Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, PO Box 56 , , Helsinki , Finland
- FIN00014-University of Helsinki 1 , Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, PO Box 56 , , Helsinki , Finland
| | - Laura Lahti
- Molecular and Integrative Biosciences Research Programme 1 , Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, PO Box 56 , , Helsinki , Finland
- FIN00014-University of Helsinki 1 , Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, PO Box 56 , , Helsinki , Finland
| | - Patricia Seja
- Molecular and Integrative Biosciences Research Programme 1 , Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, PO Box 56 , , Helsinki , Finland
- FIN00014-University of Helsinki 1 , Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, PO Box 56 , , Helsinki , Finland
| | - Zoltan Lelkes
- FIN00014-University of Helsinki 2 Department of Physiology, PO Box 63 , , Helsinki , Finland
- University of Szeged 3 Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine , , Szeged , Hungary
| | - Aki Makkonen
- FIN00014-University of Helsinki 4 Department of Pharmacology, PO Box 63 , , Helsinki , Finland
| | - Sami Kilpinen
- Molecular and Integrative Biosciences Research Programme 1 , Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, PO Box 56 , , Helsinki , Finland
- FIN00014-University of Helsinki 1 , Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, PO Box 56 , , Helsinki , Finland
| | - Yuichi Ono
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, Integrated Cell Biology, KAN Research Institute 5 , 6-8-2 Minatojima-Minamimachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo 650-0047 , Japan
| | - Marjo Salminen
- FIN00014-University of Helsinki 6 Department of Veterinary Biosciences, PO Box 66 , , Helsinki , Finland
| | - Teemu Aitta-Aho
- FIN00014-University of Helsinki 4 Department of Pharmacology, PO Box 63 , , Helsinki , Finland
| | - Tarja Stenberg
- FIN00014-University of Helsinki 2 Department of Physiology, PO Box 63 , , Helsinki , Finland
| | - Svetlana Molchanova
- Molecular and Integrative Biosciences Research Programme 1 , Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, PO Box 56 , , Helsinki , Finland
- FIN00014-University of Helsinki 1 , Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, PO Box 56 , , Helsinki , Finland
| | - Kaia Achim
- Molecular and Integrative Biosciences Research Programme 1 , Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, PO Box 56 , , Helsinki , Finland
- FIN00014-University of Helsinki 1 , Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, PO Box 56 , , Helsinki , Finland
| | - Juha Partanen
- Molecular and Integrative Biosciences Research Programme 1 , Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, PO Box 56 , , Helsinki , Finland
- FIN00014-University of Helsinki 1 , Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, PO Box 56 , , Helsinki , Finland
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Brożko N, Baggio S, Lipiec MA, Jankowska M, Szewczyk ŁM, Gabriel MO, Chakraborty C, Ferran JL, Wiśniewska MB. Genoarchitecture of the Early Postmitotic Pretectum and the Role of Wnt Signaling in Shaping Pretectal Neurochemical Anatomy in Zebrafish. Front Neuroanat 2022; 16:838567. [PMID: 35356436 PMCID: PMC8959918 DOI: 10.3389/fnana.2022.838567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The pretectum has a distinct nuclear arrangement and complex neurochemical anatomy. While previous genoarchitectural studies have described rostrocaudal and dorsoventral progenitor domains and subdomains in different species, the relationship between these early partitions and its later derivatives in the mature anatomy is less understood. The signals and transcription factors that control the establishment of pretectal anatomy are practically unknown. We investigated the possibility that some aspects of the development of pretectal divisions are controlled by Wnt signaling, focusing on the transitional stage between neurogenesis and histogenesis in zebrafish. Using several molecular markers and following the prosomeric model, we identified derivatives from each rostrocaudal pretectal progenitor domain and described the localization of gad1b-positive GABAergic and vglut2.2-positive glutamatergic cell clusters. We also attempted to relate these clusters to pretectal nuclei in the mature brain. Then, we examined the influence of Wnt signaling on the size of neurochemically distinctive pretectal areas, using a chemical inhibitor of the Wnt pathway and the CRISPR/Cas9 approach to knock out genes that encode the Wnt pathway mediators, Lef1 and Tcf7l2. The downregulation of the Wnt pathway led to a decrease in two GABAergic clusters and an expansion of a glutamatergic subregion in the maturing pretectum. This revealed an instructive role of the Wnt signal in the development of the pretectum during neurogenesis. The molecular anatomy presented here improves our understanding of pretectal development during early postmitotic stages and support the hypothesis that Wnt signaling is involved in shaping the neurochemical organization of the pretectum.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nikola Brożko
- Centre of New Technologies, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Suelen Baggio
- Centre of New Technologies, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Marcin A. Lipiec
- Centre of New Technologies, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Marta Jankowska
- Centre of New Technologies, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | | | | | | | - José L. Ferran
- Department of Human Anatomy and Psychobiology, School of Medicine, University of Murcia and Institute of Biomedical Research of Murcia -Ű IMIB, Virgen de la Arrixaca University Hospital, Murcia, Spain
| | - Marta B. Wiśniewska
- Centre of New Technologies, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
- *Correspondence: Marta B. Wiśniewska,
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Deciphering the spatial-temporal transcriptional landscape of human hypothalamus development. Cell Stem Cell 2021; 29:328-343.e5. [PMID: 34879244 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2021.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2021] [Revised: 09/13/2021] [Accepted: 11/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The hypothalamus comprises various nuclei and neuronal subpopulations that control fundamental homeostasis and behaviors. However, spatiotemporal molecular characterization of hypothalamus development in humans is largely unexplored. Here, we revealed spatiotemporal transcriptome profiles and cell-type characteristics of human hypothalamus development and illustrated the molecular diversity of neural progenitors and the cell-fate decision, which is programmed by a combination of transcription factors. Different neuronal and glial fates are sequentially produced and showed spatial developmental asynchrony. Moreover, human hypothalamic gliogenesis occurs at an earlier stage of gestation and displays distinctive transcription profiles compared with those in mouse. Notably, early oligodendrocyte cells in humans exhibit different gene patterns and interact with neuronal cells to regulate neuronal maturation by Wnt, Hippo, and integrin signals. Overall, our study provides a comprehensive molecular landscape of human hypothalamus development at early- and mid-embryonic stages and a foundation for understanding its spatial and functional complexity.
Collapse
|
14
|
Schede HH, Schneider CG, Stergiadou J, Borm LE, Ranjak A, Yamawaki TM, David FPA, Lönnerberg P, Tosches MA, Codeluppi S, La Manno G. Spatial tissue profiling by imaging-free molecular tomography. Nat Biotechnol 2021; 39:968-977. [PMID: 33875865 DOI: 10.1038/s41587-021-00879-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2020] [Accepted: 03/05/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Several techniques are currently being developed for spatially resolved omics profiling, but each new method requires the setup of specific detection strategies or specialized instrumentation. Here we describe an imaging-free framework to localize high-throughput readouts within a tissue by cutting the sample into thin strips in a way that allows subsequent image reconstruction. We implemented this framework to transform a low-input RNA sequencing protocol into an imaging-free spatial transcriptomics technique (called STRP-seq) and validated it by profiling the spatial transcriptome of the mouse brain. We applied the technique to the brain of the Australian bearded dragon, Pogona vitticeps. Our results reveal the molecular anatomy of the telencephalon of this lizard, providing evidence for a marked regionalization of the reptilian pallium and subpallium. We expect that STRP-seq can be used to derive spatially resolved data from a range of other omics techniques.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Halima Hannah Schede
- Brain Mind Institute, School of Life Sciences, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Christian G Schneider
- Brain Mind Institute, School of Life Sciences, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.,Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of the Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin: NeuroCure Clinical Research Center, Berlin, Germany
| | - Johanna Stergiadou
- Division of Molecular Neurobiology, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.,10x Genomics, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Lars E Borm
- Division of Molecular Neurobiology, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anurag Ranjak
- Brain Mind Institute, School of Life Sciences, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Tracy M Yamawaki
- Max Planck Institute for Brain Research, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,Amgen, Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Fabrice P A David
- Brain Mind Institute, School of Life Sciences, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.,BioInformatics Competence Center, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Peter Lönnerberg
- Division of Molecular Neurobiology, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Maria Antonietta Tosches
- Max Planck Institute for Brain Research, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Simone Codeluppi
- Division of Molecular Neurobiology, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Gioele La Manno
- Brain Mind Institute, School of Life Sciences, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Ma T, Wong SZH, Lee B, Ming GL, Song H. Decoding neuronal composition and ontogeny of individual hypothalamic nuclei. Neuron 2021; 109:1150-1167.e6. [PMID: 33600763 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2021.01.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2020] [Revised: 10/10/2020] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
The hypothalamus plays crucial roles in regulating endocrine, autonomic, and behavioral functions via its diverse nuclei and neuronal subtypes. The developmental mechanisms underlying ontogenetic establishment of different hypothalamic nuclei and generation of neuronal diversity remain largely unknown. Here, we show that combinatorial T-box 3 (TBX3), orthopedia homeobox (OTP), and distal-less homeobox (DLX) expression delineates all arcuate nucleus (Arc) neurons and defines four distinct subpopulations, whereas combinatorial NKX2.1/SF1 and OTP/DLX expression identifies ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH) and tuberal nucleus (TuN) neuronal subpopulations, respectively. Developmental analysis indicates that all four Arc subpopulations are mosaically and simultaneously generated from embryonic Arc progenitors, whereas glutamatergic VMH neurons and GABAergic TuN neurons are sequentially generated from common embryonic VMH progenitors. Moreover, clonal lineage-tracing analysis reveals that diverse lineages from multipotent radial glia progenitors orchestrate Arc and VMH-TuN establishment. Together, our study reveals cellular mechanisms underlying generation and organization of diverse neuronal subtypes and ontogenetic establishment of individual nuclei in the mammalian hypothalamus.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tong Ma
- Department of Neuroscience and Mahoney Institute for Neurosciences, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Samuel Zheng Hao Wong
- Department of Neuroscience and Mahoney Institute for Neurosciences, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; The Cellular and Molecular Medicine Graduate Program, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Bora Lee
- Center for Neuroscience, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul 02792, Korea
| | - Guo-Li Ming
- Department of Neuroscience and Mahoney Institute for Neurosciences, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Hongjun Song
- Department of Neuroscience and Mahoney Institute for Neurosciences, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; The Epigenetic Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Puelles L, Diaz C, Stühmer T, Ferran JL, Martínez‐de la Torre M, Rubenstein JLR. LacZ-reporter mapping of Dlx5/6 expression and genoarchitectural analysis of the postnatal mouse prethalamus. J Comp Neurol 2021; 529:367-420. [PMID: 32420617 PMCID: PMC7671952 DOI: 10.1002/cne.24952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2019] [Revised: 05/10/2020] [Accepted: 05/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
We present here a thorough and complete analysis of mouse P0-P140 prethalamic histogenetic subdivisions and corresponding nuclear derivatives, in the context of local tract landmarks. The study used as fundamental material brains from a transgenic mouse line that expresses LacZ under the control of an intragenic enhancer of Dlx5 and Dlx6 (Dlx5/6-LacZ). Subtle shadings of LacZ signal, jointly with pan-DLX immunoreaction, and several other ancillary protein or RNA markers, including Calb2 and Nkx2.2 ISH (for the prethalamic eminence, and derivatives of the rostral zona limitans shell domain, respectively) were mapped across the prethalamus. The resulting model of the prethalamic region postulates tetrapartite rostrocaudal and dorsoventral subdivisions, as well as a tripartite radial stratification, each cell population showing a characteristic molecular profile. Some novel nuclei are proposed, and some instances of potential tangential cell migration were noted.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Luis Puelles
- Department of Human Anatomy and Psychobiology and IMIB‐Arrixaca InstituteUniversity of MurciaMurciaSpain
| | - Carmen Diaz
- Department of Medical Sciences, School of Medicine and Institute for Research in Neurological DisabilitiesUniversity of Castilla‐La ManchaAlbaceteSpain
| | - Thorsten Stühmer
- Nina Ireland Laboratory of Developmental Neurobiology, Department of PsychiatryUCSF Medical SchoolSan FranciscoCaliforniaUSA
| | - José L. Ferran
- Department of Human Anatomy and Psychobiology and IMIB‐Arrixaca InstituteUniversity of MurciaMurciaSpain
| | | | - John L. R. Rubenstein
- Nina Ireland Laboratory of Developmental Neurobiology, Department of PsychiatryUCSF Medical SchoolSan FranciscoCaliforniaUSA
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Molecular Fingerprint and Developmental Regulation of the Tegmental GABAergic and Glutamatergic Neurons Derived from the Anterior Hindbrain. Cell Rep 2020; 33:108268. [PMID: 33053343 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2020.108268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2019] [Revised: 06/09/2020] [Accepted: 09/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Tegmental nuclei in the ventral midbrain and anterior hindbrain control motivated behavior, mood, memory, and movement. These nuclei contain inhibitory GABAergic and excitatory glutamatergic neurons, whose molecular diversity and development remain largely unraveled. Many tegmental neurons originate in the embryonic ventral rhombomere 1 (r1), where GABAergic fate is regulated by the transcription factor (TF) Tal1. We used single-cell mRNA sequencing of the mouse ventral r1 to characterize the Tal1-dependent and independent neuronal precursors. We describe gene expression dynamics during bifurcation of the GABAergic and glutamatergic lineages and show how active Notch signaling promotes GABAergic fate selection in post-mitotic precursors. We identify GABAergic precursor subtypes that give rise to distinct tegmental nuclei and demonstrate that Sox14 and Zfpm2, two TFs downstream of Tal1, are necessary for the differentiation of specific tegmental GABAergic neurons. Our results provide a framework for understanding the development of cellular diversity in the tegmental nuclei.
Collapse
|
18
|
Morona R, Bandín S, López JM, Moreno N, González A. Amphibian thalamic nuclear organization during larval development and in the adult frog Xenopus laevis: Genoarchitecture and hodological analysis. J Comp Neurol 2020; 528:2361-2403. [PMID: 32162311 DOI: 10.1002/cne.24899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2020] [Revised: 03/03/2020] [Accepted: 03/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The early patterning of the thalamus during embryonic development defines rostral and caudal progenitor domains, which are conserved from fishes to mammals. However, the subsequent developmental mechanisms that lead to the adult thalamic configuration have only been investigated for mammals and other amniotes. In this study, we have analyzed in the anuran amphibian Xenopus laevis (an anamniote vertebrate), through larval and postmetamorphic development, the progressive regional expression of specific markers for the rostral (GABA, GAD67, Lhx1, and Nkx2.2) and caudal (Gbx2, VGlut2, Lhx2, Lhx9, and Sox2) domains. In addition, the regional distributions at different developmental stages of other markers such as calcium binding proteins and neuropeptides, helped the identification of thalamic nuclei. It was observed that the two embryonic domains were progressively specified and compartmentalized during premetamorphosis, and cell subpopulations characterized by particular gene expression combinations were located in periventricular, intermediate and superficial strata. During prometamorphosis, three dorsoventral tiers formed from the caudal domain and most pronuclei were defined, which were modified into the definitive nuclear configuration through the metamorphic climax. Mixed cell populations originated from the rostral and caudal domains constitute most of the final nuclei and allowed us to propose additional subdivisions in the adult thalamus, whose main afferent and efferent connections were assessed by tracing techniques under in vitro conditions. This study corroborates shared features of early gene expression patterns in the thalamus between Xenopus and mouse, however, the dynamic changes in gene expression observed at later stages in the amphibian support mechanisms different from those of mammals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ruth Morona
- Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Biology, University Complutense of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Sandra Bandín
- Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Biology, University Complutense of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jesús M López
- Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Biology, University Complutense of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Nerea Moreno
- Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Biology, University Complutense of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Agustín González
- Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Biology, University Complutense of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Tran H, Park W, Seong S, Jeong J, Nguyen Q, Yoon J, Baek K, Jeong Y. Tcf7l2
transcription factor is required for the maintenance, but not the initial specification, of the neurotransmitter identity in the caudal thalamus. Dev Dyn 2019; 249:646-655. [DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2019] [Revised: 11/15/2019] [Accepted: 12/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Hong‐Nhung Tran
- Department of Genetic Engineering, College of Life Sciences and Graduate School of BiotechnologyKyung Hee University Yongin‐si Republic of Korea
| | - Wonbae Park
- Department of Genetic Engineering, College of Life Sciences and Graduate School of BiotechnologyKyung Hee University Yongin‐si Republic of Korea
| | - Sojeong Seong
- Department of Genetic Engineering, College of Life Sciences and Graduate School of BiotechnologyKyung Hee University Yongin‐si Republic of Korea
| | - Ji‐eun Jeong
- Department of Genetic Engineering, College of Life Sciences and Graduate School of BiotechnologyKyung Hee University Yongin‐si Republic of Korea
| | - Quy‐Hoai Nguyen
- Department of Genetic Engineering, College of Life Sciences and Graduate School of BiotechnologyKyung Hee University Yongin‐si Republic of Korea
| | - Jaeseung Yoon
- Department of Genetic Engineering, College of Life Sciences and Graduate School of BiotechnologyKyung Hee University Yongin‐si Republic of Korea
| | - Kwanghee Baek
- Department of Genetic Engineering, College of Life Sciences and Graduate School of BiotechnologyKyung Hee University Yongin‐si Republic of Korea
| | - Yongsu Jeong
- Department of Genetic Engineering, College of Life Sciences and Graduate School of BiotechnologyKyung Hee University Yongin‐si Republic of Korea
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Nakagawa Y. Development of the thalamus: From early patterning to regulation of cortical functions. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS-DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY 2019; 8:e345. [PMID: 31034163 DOI: 10.1002/wdev.345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2018] [Revised: 03/28/2019] [Accepted: 04/01/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The thalamus is a brain structure of the vertebrate diencephalon that plays a central role in regulating diverse functions of the cerebral cortex. In traditional view of vertebrate neuroanatomy, the thalamus includes three regions, dorsal thalamus, ventral thalamus, and epithalamus. Recent molecular embryological studies have redefined the thalamus and the associated axial nomenclature of the diencephalon in the context of forebrain patterning. This new view has provided a useful conceptual framework for studies on molecular mechanisms of patterning, neurogenesis and fate specification in the thalamus as well as the guidance mechanisms for thalamocortical axons. Additionally, the availability of genetic tools in mice has led to important findings on how thalamic development is linked to the development of other brain regions, particularly the cerebral cortex. This article will give an overview of the organization of the embryonic thalamus and how progenitor cells in the thalamus generate neurons that are organized into discrete nuclei. I will then discuss how thalamic development is orchestrated with the development of the cerebral cortex and other brain regions. This article is categorized under: Nervous System Development > Vertebrates: Regional Development Nervous System Development > Vertebrates: General Principles.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yasushi Nakagawa
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Guo Q, Li JYH. Defining developmental diversification of diencephalon neurons through single cell gene expression profiling. Development 2019; 146:dev.174284. [PMID: 30872278 DOI: 10.1242/dev.174284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2018] [Accepted: 03/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The embryonic diencephalon forms integration centers and relay stations in the forebrain. Anecdotal expression studies suggest that the diencephalon contains multiple developmental compartments and subdivisions. Here, we utilized single cell RNA sequencing to profile transcriptomes of dissociated cells from the diencephalon of E12.5 mouse embryos. We identified the divergence of different progenitors, intermediate progenitors, and emerging neurons. By mapping the identified cell groups to their spatial origins, we characterized the molecular features of cell types and cell states arising from various diencephalic domains. Furthermore, we reconstructed the developmental trajectory of distinct cell lineages, and thereby identified the genetic cascades and gene regulatory networks underlying the progression of the cell cycle, neurogenesis and cellular diversification. The analysis provides new insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying the amplification of intermediate progenitor cells in the thalamus. The single cell-resolved trajectories not only confirm a close relationship between the rostral thalamus and prethalamus, but also uncover an unexpected close relationship between the caudal thalamus, epithalamus and rostral pretectum. Our data provide a useful resource for systematic studies of cell heterogeneity and differentiation kinetics within the diencephalon.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qiuxia Guo
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, 263 Farmington Avenue, Farmington, CT 06030-6403, USA
| | - James Y H Li
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, 263 Farmington Avenue, Farmington, CT 06030-6403, USA .,Institute for Systems Genomics, University of Connecticut, 400 Farmington Avenue, Farmington, CT 06030-6403, USA
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Lee B, Lee M, Song S, Loi LD, Lam DT, Yoon J, Baek K, Curtis DJ, Jeong Y. Specification of neurotransmitter identity by Tal1 in thalamic nuclei. Dev Dyn 2017; 246:749-758. [PMID: 28685891 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.24546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2017] [Revised: 06/20/2017] [Accepted: 07/04/2017] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The neurons contributing to thalamic nuclei are derived from at least two distinct progenitor domains: the caudal (cTH) and rostral (rTH) populations of thalamic progenitors. These neural compartments exhibit unique neurogenic patterns, and the molecular mechanisms underlying the acquisition of neurotransmitter identity remain largely unclear. RESULTS T-cell acute lymphocytic leukemia protein 1 (Tal1) was expressed in the early postmitotic cells in the rTH domain, and its expression was maintained in mature thalamic neurons in the ventrolateral geniculate nucleus (vLG) and the intergeniculate leaflet (IGL). To investigate a role of Tal1 in thalamic development, we used a newly generated mouse line driving Cre-mediated recombination in the rTH domain. Conditional deletion of Tal1 did not alter regional patterning in the developing diencephalon. However, in the absence of Tal1, rTH-derived thalamic neurons failed to maintain their postmitotic neuronal features, including neurotransmitter profile. Tal1-deficient thalamic neurons lost their GABAergic markers such as Gad1, Npy, and Penk in IGL/vLG. These defects may be associated at least in part with down-regulation of Nkx2.2, which is known as a critical regulator of rTH-derived GABAergic neurons. CONCLUSIONS Our results demonstrate that Tal1 plays an essential role in regulating neurotransmitter phenotype in the developing thalamic nuclei. Developmental Dynamics 246:749-758, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bumwhee Lee
- Department of Genetic Engineering, College of Life Sciences and Graduate School of Biotechnology, Kyung Hee University, Yongin-si, Republic of Korea
| | - Myungsin Lee
- Department of Genetic Engineering, College of Life Sciences and Graduate School of Biotechnology, Kyung Hee University, Yongin-si, Republic of Korea
| | - Somang Song
- Department of Genetic Engineering, College of Life Sciences and Graduate School of Biotechnology, Kyung Hee University, Yongin-si, Republic of Korea
| | - Linh Duc Loi
- Department of Genetic Engineering, College of Life Sciences and Graduate School of Biotechnology, Kyung Hee University, Yongin-si, Republic of Korea
| | - Duc Tri Lam
- Department of Genetic Engineering, College of Life Sciences and Graduate School of Biotechnology, Kyung Hee University, Yongin-si, Republic of Korea
| | - Jaeseung Yoon
- Department of Genetic Engineering, College of Life Sciences and Graduate School of Biotechnology, Kyung Hee University, Yongin-si, Republic of Korea
| | - Kwanghee Baek
- Department of Genetic Engineering, College of Life Sciences and Graduate School of Biotechnology, Kyung Hee University, Yongin-si, Republic of Korea
| | - David J Curtis
- Australian Centre for Blood Diseases, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Yongsu Jeong
- Department of Genetic Engineering, College of Life Sciences and Graduate School of Biotechnology, Kyung Hee University, Yongin-si, Republic of Korea
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Monavarfeshani A, Sabbagh U, Fox MA. Not a one-trick pony: Diverse connectivity and functions of the rodent lateral geniculate complex. Vis Neurosci 2017; 34:E012. [PMID: 28965517 PMCID: PMC5755970 DOI: 10.1017/s0952523817000098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Often mislabeled as a simple relay of sensory information, the thalamus is a complicated structure with diverse functions. This diversity is exemplified by roles visual thalamus plays in processing and transmitting light-derived stimuli. Such light-derived signals are transmitted to the thalamus by retinal ganglion cells (RGCs), the sole projection neurons of the retina. Axons from RGCs innervate more than ten distinct nuclei within thalamus, including those of the lateral geniculate complex. Nuclei within the lateral geniculate complex of nocturnal rodents, which include the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus (dLGN), ventral lateral geniculate nucleus (vLGN), and intergeniculate leaflet (IGL), are each densely innervated by retinal projections, yet, exhibit distinct cytoarchitecture and connectivity. These features suggest that each nucleus within this complex plays a unique role in processing and transmitting light-derived signals. Here, we review the diverse cytoarchitecture and connectivity of these nuclei in nocturnal rodents, in an effort to highlight roles for dLGN in vision and for vLGN and IGL in visuomotor, vestibular, ocular, and circadian function.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aboozar Monavarfeshani
- Developmental and Translational Neurobiology Center,Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute,Roanoke,Virginia
| | - Ubadah Sabbagh
- Developmental and Translational Neurobiology Center,Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute,Roanoke,Virginia
| | - Michael A Fox
- Developmental and Translational Neurobiology Center,Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute,Roanoke,Virginia
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Tectal-derived interneurons contribute to phasic and tonic inhibition in the visual thalamus. Nat Commun 2016; 7:13579. [PMID: 27929058 PMCID: PMC5155147 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms13579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2016] [Accepted: 10/17/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The release of GABA from local interneurons in the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus (dLGN-INs) provides inhibitory control during visual processing within the thalamus. It is commonly assumed that this important class of interneurons originates from within the thalamic complex, but we now show that during early postnatal development Sox14/Otx2-expressing precursor cells migrate from the dorsal midbrain to generate dLGN-INs. The unexpected extra-diencephalic origin of dLGN-INs sets them apart from GABAergic neurons of the reticular thalamic nucleus. Using optogenetics we show that at increased firing rates tectal-derived dLGN-INs generate a powerful form of tonic inhibition that regulates the gain of thalamic relay neurons through recruitment of extrasynaptic high-affinity GABAA receptors. Therefore, by revising the conventional view of thalamic interneuron ontogeny we demonstrate how a previously unappreciated mesencephalic population controls thalamic relay neuron excitability.
Collapse
|
25
|
Gezelius H, López-Bendito G. Thalamic neuronal specification and early circuit formation. Dev Neurobiol 2016; 77:830-843. [PMID: 27739248 DOI: 10.1002/dneu.22460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2016] [Revised: 09/16/2016] [Accepted: 10/10/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The thalamus is a central structure of the brain, primarily recognized for the relay of incoming sensory and motor information to the cerebral cortex but also key in high order intracortical communication. It consists of glutamatergic projection neurons organized in several distinct nuclei, each having a stereotype connectivity pattern and functional roles. In the adult, these nuclei can be appreciated by architectural boundaries, although their developmental origin and specification is only recently beginning to be revealed. Here, we summarize the current knowledge on the specification of the distinct thalamic neurons and nuclei, starting from early embryonic patterning until the postnatal days when active sensory experience is initiated and the overall system connectivity is already established. We also include an overview of the guidance processes important for establishing thalamocortical connections, with emphasis on the early topographical specification. The extensively studied thalamocortical axon branching in the cortex is briefly mentioned; however, the maturation and plasticity of this connection are beyond the scope of this review. In separate chapters, additional mechanisms and/or features that influence the specification and development of thalamic neurons and their circuits are also discussed. Finally, an outlook of future directions is given. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol 77: 830-843, 2017.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Henrik Gezelius
- Instituto de Neurociencias de Alicante, Universidad Miguel Hernández-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (UMH-CSIC), Avenida Ramón y Cajal, s/n, Sant Joan d'Alacant, Spain
| | - Guillermina López-Bendito
- Instituto de Neurociencias de Alicante, Universidad Miguel Hernández-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (UMH-CSIC), Avenida Ramón y Cajal, s/n, Sant Joan d'Alacant, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Haugas M, Tikker L, Achim K, Salminen M, Partanen J. Gata2 and Gata3 regulate the differentiation of serotonergic and glutamatergic neuron subtypes of the dorsal raphe. Development 2016; 143:4495-4508. [PMID: 27789623 DOI: 10.1242/dev.136614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2016] [Accepted: 10/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Serotonergic and glutamatergic neurons of the dorsal raphe regulate many brain functions and are important for mental health. Their functional diversity is based on molecularly distinct subtypes; however, the development of this heterogeneity is poorly understood. We show that the ventral neuroepithelium of mouse anterior hindbrain is divided into specific subdomains giving rise to serotonergic neurons as well as other types of neurons and glia. The newly born serotonergic precursors are segregated into distinct subpopulations expressing vesicular glutamate transporter 3 (Vglut3) or serotonin transporter (Sert). These populations differ in their requirements for transcription factors Gata2 and Gata3, which are activated in the post-mitotic precursors. Gata2 operates upstream of Gata3 as a cell fate selector in both populations, whereas Gata3 is important for the differentiation of the Sert+ precursors and for the serotonergic identity of the Vglut3+ precursors. Similar to the serotonergic neurons, the Vglut3-expressing glutamatergic neurons, located in the central dorsal raphe, are derived from neural progenitors in the ventral hindbrain and express Pet1 Furthermore, both Gata2 and Gata3 are redundantly required for their differentiation. Our study demonstrates lineage relationships of the dorsal raphe neurons and suggests that functionally significant heterogeneity of these neurons is established early during their differentiation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maarja Haugas
- Department of Biosciences, P.O. Box 56, Viikinkaari 9, FIN00014-University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Laura Tikker
- Department of Biosciences, P.O. Box 56, Viikinkaari 9, FIN00014-University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Kaia Achim
- EMBL Developmental Biology Unit, Meyerhofstrasse 1, Heidelberg 69117, Germany
| | - Marjo Salminen
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, P.O. Box 66, Agnes Sjobergin katu 2, FIN00014-University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Juha Partanen
- Department of Biosciences, P.O. Box 56, Viikinkaari 9, FIN00014-University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Madrigal MP, Moreno-Bravo JA, Martínez-López JE, Martínez S, Puelles E. Mesencephalic origin of the rostral Substantia nigra pars reticulata. Brain Struct Funct 2016; 221:1403-12. [PMID: 25579066 PMCID: PMC4819793 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-014-0980-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2014] [Accepted: 12/24/2014] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
In embryonic development, the neurons that will constitute a heterogeneous nucleus may have distinct origins. The different components of these populations reach their final location by radial and tangential migrations. The Substantia nigra pars reticulata (SNR) presents a high level of neuronal heterogeneity. It is composed by GABAergic neurons located in the mes-diencephalic basal plate. These inhibitory neurons usually display tangential migrations and it has been already described that the caudal SNR is colonized tangentially from rhombomere 1. Our aim is to unveil the origin of the rostral SNR. We have localized a Nkx6.2 positive ventricular domain located in the alar midbrain. Nkx6.2 derivatives' fate map analysis showed mainly a rostral colonization of this GABAergic neuronal population. We confirmed the mesencephalic origin by the expression of Six3. Both transcription factors are sequentially expressed along the differentiation of these neurons. We demonstrated the origin of the rostral SNR; our data allowed us to postulate that this nucleus is composed by two neuronal populations distributed in opposite gradients with different origins, one from rhombomere 1, caudal to rostral, and the other from the midbrain, rostral to caudal. We can conclude that the SNR has multiple origins and follows complex mechanisms of specification and migration. Our results support vital information for the study of genetic modifications in these extremely complex processes that result in devastating behavioral alterations and predisposition to psychiatric diseases. Understanding the development, molecular identity and functional characteristics of these diverse neuronal populations might lead to better diagnosis and treatment of several forms of neurological and psychiatric disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M Pilar Madrigal
- Instituto de Neurociencias de Alicante, Universidad Miguel Hernández-CSIC, 03550, Sant Joan d'Alacant, Alicante, Spain
| | - Juan A Moreno-Bravo
- Instituto de Neurociencias de Alicante, Universidad Miguel Hernández-CSIC, 03550, Sant Joan d'Alacant, Alicante, Spain
| | - Jesús E Martínez-López
- Instituto de Neurociencias de Alicante, Universidad Miguel Hernández-CSIC, 03550, Sant Joan d'Alacant, Alicante, Spain
| | - Salvador Martínez
- Instituto de Neurociencias de Alicante, Universidad Miguel Hernández-CSIC, 03550, Sant Joan d'Alacant, Alicante, Spain
- Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biomédica IMIB-Arrixaca, E30120, Murcia, Spain
| | - Eduardo Puelles
- Instituto de Neurociencias de Alicante, Universidad Miguel Hernández-CSIC, 03550, Sant Joan d'Alacant, Alicante, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Morello F, Partanen J. Diversity and development of local inhibitory and excitatory neurons associated with dopaminergic nuclei. FEBS Lett 2015; 589:3693-701. [PMID: 26453835 DOI: 10.1016/j.febslet.2015.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2015] [Revised: 09/28/2015] [Accepted: 10/01/2015] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
For regulation of voluntary movement and motivation the midbrain dopaminergic system receives input from a variety of brain regions. Often this input is mediated by local non-dopaminergic neurons within or closely associated with the dopaminergic nuclei. In addition to the dopaminergic neurons, some of these non-dopaminergic neurons also send functionally important output from the ventral midbrain to forebrain targets. The aim of this review is to introduce subtypes of GABAergic and glutamatergic neurons, which are located in the dopaminergic nuclei or the adjacent brainstem and are important for the regulation of the dopaminergic pathways. In addition, we discuss recent studies beginning to reveal mechanisms for their development, which may hold the key to understanding the diversity of these neurons.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Morello
- Department of Biosciences, Division of Genetics, P.O. Box 56, Viikinkaari 9, 00014 University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Juha Partanen
- Department of Biosciences, Division of Genetics, P.O. Box 56, Viikinkaari 9, 00014 University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Martinez-Ferre A, Lloret-Quesada C, Prakash N, Wurst W, Rubenstein JLR, Martinez S. Fgf15 regulates thalamic development by controlling the expression of proneural genes. Brain Struct Funct 2015; 221:3095-109. [PMID: 26311466 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-015-1089-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2015] [Accepted: 07/21/2015] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The establishment of the brain structural complexity requires a precisely orchestrated interplay between extrinsic and intrinsic signals modulating cellular mechanisms to guide neuronal differentiation. However, little is known about the nature of these signals in the diencephalon, a complex brain region that processes and relays sensory and motor information to and from the cerebral cortex and subcortical structures. Morphogenetic signals from brain organizers regulate histogenetic processes such as cellular proliferation, migration, and differentiation. Sonic hedgehog (Shh) in the key signal of the ZLI, identified as the diencephalic organizer. Fgf15, the mouse gene orthologous of human, chick, and zebrafish Fgf19, is induced by Shh signal and expressed in the diencephalic alar plate progenitors during histogenetic developmental stages. This work investigates the role of Fgf15 signal in diencephalic development. In the absence of Fgf15, the complementary expression pattern of proneural genes: Ascl1 and Nng2, is disrupted and the GABAergic thalamic cells do not differentiate; in addition dorsal thalamic progenitors failed to exit from the mitotic cycle and to differentiate into neurons. Therefore, our findings indicate that Fgf15 is the Shh downstream signal to control thalamic regionalization, neurogenesis, and neuronal differentiation by regulating the expression and mutual segregation of neurogenic and proneural regulatory genes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Almudena Martinez-Ferre
- Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biosanitaria (IMIB-Arrixaca), University of Murcia, 30120, El Palmar, Murcia, Spain
| | - Cosme Lloret-Quesada
- Institute of Neurosciences, Miguel Hernández University, Spanish National Research Council, San Juan Campus, 03550, Sant Joan d'Alacant, Alicante, Spain
| | - Nilima Prakash
- Institute of Developmental Genetics, Helmholtz Centre Munich, German Research Centre for Environmental Health (GmbH), Technical University Munich, Ingolstaedter Landstr. 1, 85764, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Wurst
- Institute of Developmental Genetics, Helmholtz Centre Munich, German Research Centre for Environmental Health (GmbH), Technical University Munich, Ingolstaedter Landstr. 1, 85764, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - John L R Rubenstein
- Department of Psychiatry, Nina Ireland Laboratory of Developmental Neurobiology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Salvador Martinez
- Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biosanitaria (IMIB-Arrixaca), University of Murcia, 30120, El Palmar, Murcia, Spain. .,Institute of Neurosciences, Miguel Hernández University, Spanish National Research Council, San Juan Campus, 03550, Sant Joan d'Alacant, Alicante, Spain. .,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Valencia, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Martinez-Lopez JE, Moreno-Bravo JA, Madrigal MP, Martinez S, Puelles E. Mesencephalic basolateral domain specification is dependent on Sonic Hedgehog. Front Neuroanat 2015; 9:12. [PMID: 25741244 PMCID: PMC4330881 DOI: 10.3389/fnana.2015.00012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2014] [Accepted: 01/27/2015] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
In the study of central nervous system morphogenesis, the identification of new molecular markers allows us to identify domains along the antero-posterior and dorso-ventral (DV) axes. In the past years, the alar and basal plates of the midbrain have been divided into different domains. The precise location of the alar-basal boundary is still under discussion. We have identified Barhl1, Nhlh1 and Six3 as appropriate molecular markers to the adjacent domains of this transition. The description of their expression patterns and the contribution to the different mesencephalic populations corroborated their role in the specification of these domains. We studied the influence of Sonic Hedgehog on these markers and therefore on the specification of these territories. The lack of this morphogen produced severe alterations in the expression pattern of Barhl1 and Nhlh1 with consequent misspecification of the basolateral (BL) domain. Six3 expression was apparently unaffected, however its distribution changed leading to altered basal domains. In this study we confirmed the localization of the alar-basal boundary dorsal to the BL domain and demonstrated that the development of the BL domain highly depends on Shh.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jesus E Martinez-Lopez
- Instituto de Neurociencias de Alicante, Universidad Miguel Hernandez, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (UMH-CSIC) Alicante, Spain
| | - Juan A Moreno-Bravo
- Instituto de Neurociencias de Alicante, Universidad Miguel Hernandez, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (UMH-CSIC) Alicante, Spain
| | - M Pilar Madrigal
- Instituto de Neurociencias de Alicante, Universidad Miguel Hernandez, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (UMH-CSIC) Alicante, Spain
| | - Salvador Martinez
- Instituto de Neurociencias de Alicante, Universidad Miguel Hernandez, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (UMH-CSIC) Alicante, Spain ; Instituto Murciano de Investigacion Biomedica IMIB-Arrixaca (CIBERSAM) Murcia, Spain
| | - Eduardo Puelles
- Instituto de Neurociencias de Alicante, Universidad Miguel Hernandez, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (UMH-CSIC) Alicante, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Song H, Lee B, Pyun D, Guimera J, Son Y, Yoon J, Baek K, Wurst W, Jeong Y. Ascl1 and Helt act combinatorially to specify thalamic neuronal identity by repressing Dlxs activation. Dev Biol 2015; 398:280-91. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2014.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2014] [Revised: 12/02/2014] [Accepted: 12/04/2014] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
|
32
|
Filippi A, Mueller T, Driever W. vglut2 and gad expression reveal distinct patterns of dual GABAergic versus glutamatergic cotransmitter phenotypes of dopaminergic and noradrenergic neurons in the zebrafish brain. J Comp Neurol 2015; 522:2019-37. [PMID: 24374659 PMCID: PMC4288968 DOI: 10.1002/cne.23524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2013] [Revised: 11/27/2013] [Accepted: 11/27/2013] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Throughout the vertebrate lineage, dopaminergic neurons form important neuromodulatory systems that influence motor behavior, mood, cognition, and physiology. Studies in mammals have established that dopaminergic neurons often use γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) or glutamatergic cotransmission during development and physiological function. Here, we analyze vglut2, gad1b and gad2 expression in combination with tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactivity in 4-day-old larval and 30-day-old juvenile zebrafish brains to determine which dopaminergic and noradrenergic groups may use GABA or glutamate as a second transmitter. Our results show that most dopaminergic neurons also express GABAergic markers, including the dopaminergic groups of the olfactory bulb (homologous to mammalian A16) and the subpallium, the hypothalamic groups (A12, A14), the prethalamic zona incerta group (A13), the preoptic groups (A15), and the pretectal group. Thus, the majority of catecholaminergic neurons are gad1b/2-positive and coexpress GABA. A very few gad1/2-negative dopaminergic groups, however, express vglut2 instead and use glutamate as a second transmitter. These glutamatergic dual transmitter phenotypes are the Orthopedia transcription factor–dependent, A11-type dopaminergic neurons of the posterior tuberculum. All together, our results demonstrate that all catecholaminergic groups in zebrafish are either GABAergic or glutamatergic. Thus, cotransmission of dopamine and noradrenaline with either GABA or glutamate appears to be a regular feature of zebrafish catecholaminergic systems. We compare our results with those that have been described for mammalian systems, discuss the phenomenon of transmitter dualism in the context of developmental specification of GABAergic and glutamatergic regions in the brain, and put this phenomenon in an evolutionary perspective. J. Comp. Neurol. 522:2019–2037, 2014.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alida Filippi
- Developmental Biology, Institute of Biology I, Faculty of Biology, Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg, 79104, Freiburg, Germany
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
33
|
Lahti L, Haugas M, Tikker L, Airavaara M, Voutilainen MH, Anttila J, Kumar S, Inkinen C, Salminen M, Partanen J. Differentiation and molecular heterogeneity of inhibitory and excitatory neurons associated with midbrain dopaminergic nuclei. Development 2015; 143:516-29. [DOI: 10.1242/dev.129957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2015] [Accepted: 12/18/2015] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Local inhibitory GABAergic and excitatory glutamatergic neurons are important for midbrain dopaminergic and hindbrain serotonergic pathways controlling motivation, mood, and voluntary movements. Such neurons reside both within the dopaminergic nuclei, and in adjacent brain structures, including the rostromedial and laterodorsal tegmental nuclei. Compared to the monoaminergic neurons, the development, heterogeneity, and molecular characteristics of these regulatory neurons are poorly understood. We show here that different GABAergic and glutamatergic subgroups associated with the monoaminergic nuclei express specific transcription factors. These neurons share common origins in the ventrolateral rhombomere 1, where postmitotic selector genes Tal1, Gata2, and Gata3 control the balance between the generation of inhibitory and excitatory neurons. In the absence of Tal1, or both Gata2 and Gata3, the GABAergic precursors adopt glutamatergic fates and populate the glutamatergic nuclei in excessive numbers. Together, our results uncover developmental regulatory mechanisms, molecular characteristics, and heterogeneity of central regulators of monoaminergic circuits.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laura Lahti
- Department of Biosciences, P.O. Box 56, Viikinkaari 9, FIN-00014 University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Maarja Haugas
- Department of Biosciences, P.O. Box 56, Viikinkaari 9, FIN-00014 University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Laura Tikker
- Department of Biosciences, P.O. Box 56, Viikinkaari 9, FIN-00014 University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Mikko Airavaara
- Institute of Biotechnology, P.O. Box 56, Viikinkaari 9, FIN-00014 University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Merja H. Voutilainen
- Institute of Biotechnology, P.O. Box 56, Viikinkaari 9, FIN-00014 University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jenni Anttila
- Institute of Biotechnology, P.O. Box 56, Viikinkaari 9, FIN-00014 University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Suman Kumar
- Department of Biosciences, P.O. Box 56, Viikinkaari 9, FIN-00014 University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Caisa Inkinen
- Department of Biosciences, P.O. Box 56, Viikinkaari 9, FIN-00014 University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Marjo Salminen
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Agnes Sjöbergin katu 2, FIN-00014 University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Juha Partanen
- Department of Biosciences, P.O. Box 56, Viikinkaari 9, FIN-00014 University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Sellers K, Zyka V, Lumsden AG, Delogu A. Transcriptional control of GABAergic neuronal subtype identity in the thalamus. Neural Dev 2014; 9:14. [PMID: 24929424 PMCID: PMC4065548 DOI: 10.1186/1749-8104-9-14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2014] [Accepted: 06/02/2014] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The thalamus is often defined as the ‘gateway to consciousness’, a feature that is supported by the specific connectivity and electrophysiological properties of its neurons. Inhibitory GABAergic neurons are required for the dynamic gating of information passing through the thalamus. The high degree of heterogeneity among thalamic GABA neurons suggests that, during embryonic development, alternative differentiation programmes exist to guide the acquisition of inhibitory neuron subtype identity. Results Taking advantage of the accessibility of the developing chick embryo, we have used in ovo manipulations of gene expression to test the role of candidate transcription factors in controlling GABAergic neuronal subtype identity in the developing thalamus. Conclusions In this study, we describe two alternative differentiation programmes for GABAergic neurogenesis in the thalamus and identify Helt and Dlx2 as key transcription factors that are sufficient to direct neuronal progenitors along a specific differentiation pathway at the expense of alternative lineage choices. Furthermore, we identify Calb2, a gene encoding for the GABA subtype marker calretinin as a target of the transcription factor Sox14. This work is a step forward in our understanding of how GABA neuron diversity in the thalamus is achieved during development and will help future investigation of the molecular mechanisms that lead up to the acquisition of different synaptic targets and electrophysiological features of mature thalamic inhibitory neurons.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Alessio Delogu
- MRC Centre for Developmental Neurobiology, King's College London, London SE1 1UL, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Achim K, Salminen M, Partanen J. Mechanisms regulating GABAergic neuron development. Cell Mol Life Sci 2014; 71:1395-415. [PMID: 24196748 PMCID: PMC11113277 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-013-1501-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2013] [Revised: 10/10/2013] [Accepted: 10/14/2013] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Neurons using gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) as their neurotransmitter are the main inhibitory neurons in the mature central nervous system (CNS) and show great variation in their form and function. GABAergic neurons are produced in all of the main domains of the CNS, where they develop from discrete regions of the neuroepithelium. Here, we review the gene expression and regulatory mechanisms controlling the main steps of GABAergic neuron development: early patterning of the proliferative neuroepithelium, production of postmitotic neural precursors, establishment of their identity and migration. By comparing the molecular regulation of these events across CNS, we broadly identify three regions utilizing distinct molecular toolkits for GABAergic fate determination: telencephalon-anterior diencephalon (DLX2 type), posterior diencephalon-midbrain (GATA2 type) and hindbrain-spinal cord (PTF1A and TAL1 types). Similarities and differences in the molecular regulatory mechanisms reveal the core determinants of a GABAergic neuron as well as provide insights into generation of the vast diversity of these neurons.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kaia Achim
- EMBL Heidelberg, Meyerhofstr. 1, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Marjo Salminen
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, University of Helsinki, Agnes Sjobergin katu 2, PO Box 66, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Juha Partanen
- Department of Biosciences, University of Helsinki, Viikinkaari 5, PO Box 56, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Irx3 and Pax6 establish differential competence for Shh-mediated induction of GABAergic and glutamatergic neurons of the thalamus. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2013; 110:E3919-26. [PMID: 24065827 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1304311110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
During embryonic development, the presumptive GABAergic rostral thalamus (rTh) and glutamatergic caudal thalamus (cTh) are induced by Sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling from the zona limitans intrathalamica (ZLI) at the rostral border of the thalamic primordium. We found that these inductions are limited to the neuroepithelium between the ZLI and the forebrain-midbrain boundary, suggesting a prepattern that limits thalamic competence. We hypothesized that this prepattern is established by the overlapping expression of two transcription factors: Iroquois-related homeobox gene 3 (Irx3) posterior to the ZLI, and paired box gene 6 (Pax6) anterior to the forebrain-midbrain boundary. Consistent with this assumption, we show that misexpression of Irx3 in the prethalamus or telencephalon results in ectopic induction of thalamic markers in response to Shh, that it functions as a transcriptional repressor in this context, and that antagonizing its function in the diencephalon attenuates thalamic specification. Similarly, misexpression of Pax6 in the midbrain together with Shh pathway activation results in ectopic induction of cTh markers in clusters of cells that fail to integrate into tectal layers and of atypical long-range projections, whereas antagonizing Pax6 function in the thalamus disrupts cTh formation. However, rTh markers are negatively regulated by Pax6, which itself is down-regulated by Shh from the ZLI in this area. Our results demonstrate that the combinatorial expression of Irx3 and Pax6 endows cells with the competence for cTh formation, whereas Shh-mediated down-regulation of Pax6 is required for rTh formation. Thus, thalamus induction and patterning depends both on a prepattern of Irx3 and Pax6 expression that establishes differential cellular competence and on Shh signaling from the ZLI organizer.
Collapse
|
37
|
Achim K, Peltopuro P, Lahti L, Tsai HH, Zachariah A, Astrand M, Salminen M, Rowitch D, Partanen J. The role of Tal2 and Tal1 in the differentiation of midbrain GABAergic neuron precursors. Biol Open 2013; 2:990-7. [PMID: 24167708 PMCID: PMC3798194 DOI: 10.1242/bio.20135041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2013] [Accepted: 06/26/2013] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Midbrain- and hindbrain-derived GABAergic interneurons are critical for regulation of sleep, respiratory, sensory-motor and motivational processes, and they are implicated in human neurological disorders. However, the precise mechanisms that underlie generation of GABAergic neuron diversity in the midbrain–hindbrain region are poorly understood. Here, we show unique and overlapping requirements for the related bHLH proteins Tal1 and Tal2 in GABAergic neurogenesis in the midbrain. We show that Tal2 and Tal1 are specifically and sequentially activated during midbrain GABAergic neurogenesis. Similar to Gata2, a post-mitotic selector of the midbrain GABAergic neuron identity, Tal2 expression is activated very early during GABAergic neuron differentiation. Although the expression of Tal2 and Gata2 genes are independent of each other, Tal2 is important for normal midbrain GABAergic neurogenesis, possibly as a partner of Gata2. In the absence of Tal2, the majority of midbrain GABAergic neurons switch to a glutamatergic-like phenotype. In contrast, Tal1 expression is activated in a Gata2 and Tal2 dependent fashion in the more mature midbrain GABAergic neuron precursors, but Tal1 alone is not required for GABAergic neuron differentiation from the midbrain neuroepithelium. However, inactivation of both Tal2 and Tal1 in the developing midbrain suggests that the two factors co-operate to guide GABAergic neuron differentiation in a specific ventro-lateral midbrain domain. The observed similarities and differences between Tal1/Tal2 and Gata2 mutants suggest both co-operative and unique roles for these factors in determination of midbrain GABAergic neuron identities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kaia Achim
- Department of Biosciences, P.O. Box 56, Viikinkaari 5, FIN00014-University of Helsinki , Helsinki , Finland
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
38
|
Lahti L, Achim K, Partanen J. Molecular regulation of GABAergic neuron differentiation and diversity in the developing midbrain. Acta Physiol (Oxf) 2013; 207:616-27. [PMID: 23297792 DOI: 10.1111/apha.12062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2012] [Revised: 12/10/2012] [Accepted: 12/26/2012] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The midbrain GABAergic neurones control several aspects of behaviour, play important roles in psychiatric disease and are targets of medical treatments as well as drugs of abuse. However, their molecular diversity and regulation of development are only beginning to be understood. In this review, we briefly introduce distinct subpopulations of the midbrain GABAergic neurones and discuss knowledge on their development, including the developmental origins of midbrain GABAergic neurones as well as transcriptional regulatory mechanisms guiding their differentiation and identity. Important GABAergic neuron subpopulations are found within the dopaminergic (DA) nuclei in the ventral midbrain. GABAergic substantia nigra pars reticulata is the main output pathway of the basal ganglia system regulating voluntary movements. Recent studies have also highlighted importance of the GABAergic neurones associated with the ventral tegmental area for the control of DA neuron activity and motivated behaviours. Interestingly, the development of the GABAergic neurones associated with the DA nuclei is very different from the rest of the midbrain. Knowledge on developmental regulation can lead to insights into the molecular, structural and functional diversity of the midbrain GABAergic neurones and their subpopulations, cell groups of great physiological and medical interest.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- L. Lahti
- Department of Biosciences; Viikki Biocenter; University of Helsinki; Helsinki; Finland
| | - K. Achim
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory; Heidelberg; Germany
| | - J. Partanen
- Department of Biosciences; Viikki Biocenter; University of Helsinki; Helsinki; Finland
| |
Collapse
|