Two closely related homeobox transcription factors, Pitx1 and Pitx2, have been implicated in patterning of lateral plate mesoderm derivatives: Pitx1 for specification of hindlimb identity and Pitx2 for determination of laterality. We show that, together, Pitx1 and Pitx2 are required for formation of hindlimb buds and, when present in limited doses, for development of proximal (femur) and anterior (tibia and digit 1) hindlimb structures. Although Pitx1 is expressed throughout developing hindlimb buds, Pitx2 is not expressed in limb bud mesenchyme itself, but is coexpressed with Pitx1 in the presumptive hindlimb field before bud growth. Thus, Pitx1 and Pitx2 genes are required for sustained hindlimb bud growth and formation of hindlimbs.

Defects in protein folding and the proteasomal pathway have been linked with many neurodegenerative diseases. PLIC-1 (protein linking IAP to the cytoskeleton) is a ubiquitin-like protein that binds to the ubiquitin-interacting motif (UIM) of the proteasomal subunit S5a. Here, we show that PLIC-1 also binds to the UIM proteins ataxin 3-a deubiquitinating enzymeHSJ1a-a co-chaperone-and EPS15 (epidermal growth factor substrate 15)-an endocytic protein. Using a polyglutamine (polyQ) disease model, we found that both endogenous PLIC-1 and EPS15 localize to perinuclear aggresomes, and that polyQ enhances their in vivo interaction. We show that knockdown of PLIC-1 and EPS15 by RNA interference reduces aggresome formation. In addition, PLIC-1 DUBL functions as a dominantnegative mutant, blocking both polyQ transport to aggresomes and the association of EPS15 with dispersed aggregates. We also show that PLIC-1 is upregulated by arsenite-induced protein misfolding. These results indicate a role for PLIC-1 in the protein aggregation-stress pathway, and we propose a novel function for the ubiquitin-like (UBL) domain-by means of UBL-UIM interactions-in transport to aggresomes.

Netrin-1 regulates cell migration and adhesion during the development of the nervous system, vasculature, lung, pancreas, muscle, and mammary gland. It is also proposed to function as a dependence ligand that inhibits apoptosis; however, studies disagree regarding whether netrin-1 loss-of-function mice exhibit increased cell death. Furthermore, previously studied netrin-1 loss-of-function gene-trap mice express a netrin-1-β-galactosidase protein chimera with potential for toxic gain-of-function effects, as well as a small amount of wild-type netrin-1 protein. To unambiguously assess loss of function, we generated netrin-1 floxed and netrin-1 null mouse lines. Netrin-1(-/-) mice die earlier and exhibit more severe axon guidance defects than netrin-1 gene-trap mice, revealing that complete loss of function is more severe than previously reported. Netrin-1(-/-) embryos also exhibit increased expression of the netrin receptors DCC and neogenin that are proposed dependence receptors; however, increased apoptosis was not detected, inconsistent with netrin-1 being an essential dependence receptor ligand in the embryonic spinal cord.

Highlights d Most mouse Cre driver lines tested exhibited variable rates of germline recombination d Germline recombination exhibits parental sex bias and target locus selectivity d Similar principles apply to multiple organisms and recombinase systems d Guidelines are provided for detecting and minimizing unwanted germline recombination

The ability of sensory systems to detect and process information from the environment relies on the elaboration of precise connections between sensory neurons in the periphery and second order neurons in the CNS. In mice, the accessory olfactory system is thought to regulate a wide variety of social and sexual behaviors. The expression of the Slit receptors Robo-1 and Robo-2 in vomeronasal sensory neurons (VSNs) suggests they may direct the stereotypic targeting of their axons to the accessory olfactory bulb (AOB). Here, we have examined the roles of Robo-1 and Robo-2 in the formation of connections by VSN axons within the AOB. While Robo-1 is not necessary for the segregation of VSN axons within the anterior and posterior regions of the AOB, Robo-2 is required for the targeting of some basal VSN axons to the posterior region of the AOB but is dispensable for the fasciculation of VSN axons. Furthermore, the specific ablation of Robo-2 expression in VSNs leads to mistargeting of a portion of basal VSN axons to the anterior region of the AOB, indicating that Robo-2 expression is required on projecting VSN axons. Together, these results identify Robo-2 as a receptor that controls the targeting of basal VSN axons to the posterior AOB.

The midbrain dopamine (mDA) system is composed of molecularly and functionally distinct neuron subtypes that mediate specific behaviors and show select disease vulnerability, including in Parkinson's disease. Despite progress in identifying mDA neuron subtypes, how these neuronal subsets develop and organize into functional brain structures remains poorly understood. Here we generate and use an intersectional genetic platform, Pitx3-ITC, to dissect the mechanisms of substantia nigra (SN) development and implicate the guidance molecule Netrin-1 in the migration and positioning of mDA neuron subtypes in the SN. Unexpectedly, we show that Netrin-1, produced in the forebrain and provided to the midbrain through axon projections, instructs the migration of GABAergic neurons into the ventral SN. This migration is required to confine mDA neurons to the dorsal SN. These data demonstrate that neuron migration can be controlled by remotely produced and axon-derived secreted guidance cues, a principle that is likely to apply more generally.

The accessory olfactory system controls social and sexual behaviours in mice, both of which are critical for their survival. Vomeronasal sensory neuron (VSN) axons form synapses with mitral cell dendrites in glomeruli of the accessory olfactory bulb (AOB). Axons of VSNs expressing the same vomeronasal receptor (VR) converge into multiple glomeruli within spatially conserved regions of the AOB. Here, we have examined the role of the cell adhesion molecule Kirrel2 in the formation of glomeruli within the AOB. We find that Kirrel2 expression is dispensable for early axonal guidance events, such as fasciculation of the vomeronasal tract and segregation of apical and basal VSN axons into the anterior and posterior regions of the AOB, but is necessary for glomeruli formation. Specific ablation of Kirrel2 expression in VSN axons results in the disorganization of the glomerular layer of the posterior AOB and in the formation of fewer and larger glomeruli. Furthermore, simultaneous ablation of Kirrel2 and Kirrel3 expression leads to a loss of morphologically identifiable glomeruli in the AOB, reduced excitatory synapse numbers, and larger presynaptic terminals. Taken together, our results demonstrate that Kirrel2 and Kirrel3 are essential for the formation of glomeruli and suggest they contribute to synaptogenesis in the AOB.

The Pitx homeobox transcription factor genes have been implicated in different developmental processes, including determination of hind limb identity for Pitx1, left-right asymmetry for Pitx2, and eye development and survival of midbrain dopaminergic neurons for Pitx3. Pitx1 and Pitx2 have partly redundant activities in craniofacial development, including in pituitary organogenesis, as indicated by their names. These genes also exhibit redundant activities in the control of hind limb bud growth. Recent studies have shown expression of the three Pitx genes in muscle, with Pitx3 being the most widely expressed in all skeletal muscles. We now report the identification of a muscle-specific promoter within the Pitx3 gene that is situated between the first exon for eye and brain expression and exon 2 that contains the initiator ATG codon. Sequences proximal to this muscle-specific exon 1 are essential and sufficient to confer muscle-specific expression in transgenic mice, they are responsive to myogenic basic helix-loop-helix regulatory factors, and they recruit these factors in vivo. In agreement with exclusive use of the muscle-specific promoter in aphakia mice that are deleted of the brain promoter, the trimethyl-lysine 4 histone H3 promoter signature shifts to this promoter in embryonic day 13 ak limb bud muscle cells. Myogenic basic helix-loophelix regulatory factor activation of Pitx3 transcription may be part of a positive feedback loop contributing to establishment of the myogenic program.