Olig2 and Hes Regulatory Dynamics During Motor Neuron Differentiation Revealed by Single Cell Transcriptomics

Overview

Journal PLoS Biol

Specialty Biology

Date 2018 Feb 2

PMID 29389974

Citations 40

Authors

Andreas Sagner

Zachary B Gaber

Julien Delile

Jennifer H Kong

David L Rousso

Caroline A Pearson

Steven E Weicksel

Manuela Melchionda

S Neda Mousavy Gharavy

James Briscoe

Bennett G Novitch

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

During tissue development, multipotent progenitors differentiate into specific cell types in characteristic spatial and temporal patterns. We addressed the mechanism linking progenitor identity and differentiation rate in the neural tube, where motor neuron (MN) progenitors differentiate more rapidly than other progenitors. Using single cell transcriptomics, we defined the transcriptional changes associated with the transition of neural progenitors into MNs. Reconstruction of gene expression dynamics from these data indicate a pivotal role for the MN determinant Olig2 just prior to MN differentiation. Olig2 represses expression of the Notch signaling pathway effectors Hes1 and Hes5. Olig2 repression of Hes5 appears to be direct, via a conserved regulatory element within the Hes5 locus that restricts expression from MN progenitors. These findings reveal a tight coupling between the regulatory networks that control patterning and neuronal differentiation and demonstrate how Olig2 acts as the developmental pacemaker coordinating the spatial and temporal pattern of MN generation.

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