Dlx1&2 and Mash1 transcription factors control striatal patterning and differentiation through parallel and overlapping pathways

Abstract

Here we define the expression of ∼100 transcription factors in progenitors and neurons of the developing basal ganglia. We have begun to elucidate the transcriptional hierarchy of these genes with respect to the Dlx homeodomain genes, which are essential for differentiation of most GABAergic projection neurons of the basal ganglia. This analysis identified Dlx-dependent and Dlx-independent pathways. The Dlx-independent pathway depends in part on the function of the Mash1 b-HLH transcription factor. These analyses define core transcriptional components that differentially specify the identity and differentiation of the striatum, nucleus accumbens and septum.

Bidirectional EphrinB3/EphA4 Signaling Mediates the Segregation of Medial Ganglionic Eminence- and Preoptic Area-Derived Interneurons in the Deep and Superficial Migratory Stream

“…In agreement with this finding, Dlx1 and Dlx2 expression was reported in the SVZ of the eminences coincident with Nrp-1, but complementary to what we found for Nrp-2 (Long et al, 2009b;Wang et al, 2011). The homeoproteins Dlx1 and Dlx2, identified to mediate the neuronal cell fate in Olig2 precursors of the basal telencephalon (Petryniak et al, 2007), were reported as crucial players in forebrain GABAergic neuron differentiation, migration, and survival (Anderson et al, 1997;Cobos et al, 2005Cobos et al, , 2007Long et al, 2007Long et al, , 2009a. Ghanem et al (2007) reported that distinct subtypes of cortical interneurons use different combinations of Dlx1/2 enhancers from the time of specification to adulthood.…”

Selective induction of neocortical GABAergic neurons by the PDK1-Akt pathway through activation of Mash1

“…We further found that Pdk1 deletion reduced expression levels of Mash1-dependent genes Sp9 and Olig2 (Fig. S6D) (42). These results confirm that PDK1-Akt signaling regulates the abundance and activity of Mash1 in vivo.…”

Topographical transcriptome mapping of the mouse medial ganglionic eminence by spatially-resolved RNA-seq

“…In each case, in situ hybridization was combined with immunohistochemistry for Gap43, which defines cluster 4/5 ( Figure 4). Sox 2 [27][28][29] and COUP transcription factor 1 (Couptf1), also known as Nr2f2, [26,30] were chosen as markers for cluster 1, and in situ hybridization for both genes showed their expression restricted to the ventricular zone, as expected ( Figure 4A-H). For cluster 2, in situ hybridization for Doublecortin like kinase 2 (Dclk2) and Sox11 [31,32] delineated a narrow region immediately ventral to the ventricular zone, matching the expected location of this cluster ( Figure 4I-L).…”