Sander M, Paydar S, Ericson J, Briscoe J, Berber E, German M, Jessell TM, Rubenstein JL. Ventral neural patterning by
Nkx homeobox genes: Nkx6.1 controls somatic motor neuron and ventral interneuron fates.
Genes Dev 2000;
14:2134-9. [PMID:
10970877 PMCID:
PMC316892 DOI:
10.1101/gad.820400]
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Abstract
There is growing evidence that sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling regulates ventral neuronal fate in the vertebrate central nervous system through Nkx-class homeodomain proteins. We have examined the patterns of neurogenesis in mice carrying a targeted mutation in Nkx6.1. These mutants show a dorsal-to-ventral switch in the identity of progenitors and in the fate of postmitotic neurons. At many axial levels there is a complete block in the generation of V2 interneurons and motor neurons and a compensatory ventral expansion in the domain of generation of V1 neurons, demonstrating the essential functions of Nkx6.1 in regional patterning and neuronal fate determination.
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