Although a number of genes have been found to have restricted expression domains in the embryonic forebrain and midbrain, it remains largely unknown how the expression of these genes is regulated at the cellular level. In this study, we explored the mechanisms for the differential expression of region-specific transcription factors in neuroepithelial cells by using both primary and immortalized neuroepithelial cells from the rat brain at embryonic day 11.5. We found that differential expression patterns of Pax-3, Pax-5, Pax-6, Dlx-1, Dlx-2, Emx2, Otx1 and Dbx observed in vivo were maintained even when the cells were isolated and cultured in vitro, free from environmental influences. Furthermore, in response to Sonic hedgehog, which is a major inductive signal from the environment for regional specification, neuroepithelial cells that maintain distinct regional identities expressed different sets of ventral-specific genes including Islet-1, Nkx-2.1 and Nkx-2.2. These results suggest that certain cell-autonomous mechanisms play important roles in regulating both environmental signal-dependent and -independent expression of region-specific genes. Thus, we propose that use of the in vitro culture systems we describe in this study facilitates the understanding of regulatory mechanisms of region-specific genes in neuroepithelial cells.
Roles of cell-autonomous mechanisms for differential expression of region-specific transcription factors in neuroepithelial cells
Y. Nakagawa, T. Kaneko, T. Ogura, T. Suzuki, M. Torii, K. Kaibuchi, K. Arai, S. Nakamura, M. Nakafuku; Roles of cell-autonomous mechanisms for differential expression of region-specific transcription factors in neuroepithelial cells. Development 1 August 1996; 122 (8): 2449–2464. doi: https://doi.org/10.1242/dev.122.8.2449
Download citation file:
Advertisement
Cited by
Development Journal Meeting 2022: From Stem Cells to Human Development
-JournalMeeting.png?versionId=3837)
Following a virtual meeting in 2020, we are delighted to announce that the fifth iteration of our popular Journal Meeting will be held from 11-14 September 2022 at the historic Wotton House, Surrey. Registration is open now.
Preprints in Development
(update)-InPreprints.png?versionId=3837)
As part of our efforts to support the use of preprints and help curate the preprint literature, we are delighted to launch a new article type: ‘In preprints’. These pieces will discuss one or more recent preprints and place them in a broader context. You can read the first article here.
Submit your next Techniques and Resources paper to Development
-TechniquesAndResources.png?versionId=3837)
Development regularly publishes Techniques and Resources papers. These manuscripts describe a novel technique, a substantial advance of an existing technique, or a new resource that will have a significant impact on developmental biology research. Find out more here.
Interview with Andreas Prokop
-AndreasProkop.png?versionId=3837)
Andreas Prokop’s research group studies the mechanisms of axon homeostasis and degeneration, using primary neurons of the fruit fly Drosophila as a model system. We caught up with Andreas at the BSDB Spring Meeting, where he was presented with the 2022 BSDB Wolpert Medal.
Propose a new Workshop
-GSWorkshop.png?versionId=3837)
Our Workshops bring together leading experts and early-career researchers from a range of scientific backgrounds. Applications are now open to propose Workshops for 2024, one of which will be held in a Global South country.