Lmx1a is a Master Regulator of the Cortical Hem

Overview

Journal Elife

Specialty Biology

Date 2023 Sep 19

PMID 37725078

Authors

Igor Y Iskusnykh

Nikolai Fattakhov

Yiran Li

Laure Bihannic

Matthew K Kirchner

Ekaterina Y Steshina

Paul A Northcott

Victor V Chizhikov

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Development of the nervous system depends on signaling centers - specialized cellular populations that produce secreted molecules to regulate neurogenesis in the neighboring neuroepithelium. In some cases, signaling center cells also differentiate to produce key types of neurons. The formation of a signaling center involves its induction, the maintenance of expression of its secreted molecules, and cell differentiation and migration events. How these distinct processes are coordinated during signaling center development remains unknown. By performing studies in mice, we show that Lmx1a acts as a master regulator to orchestrate the formation and function of the cortical hem (CH), a critical signaling center that controls hippocampus development. Lmx1a co-regulates CH induction, its Wnt signaling, and the differentiation and migration of CH-derived Cajal-Retzius neurons. Combining RNAseq, genetic, and rescue experiments, we identified major downstream genes that mediate distinct Lmx1a-dependent processes. Our work revealed that signaling centers in the mammalian brain employ master regulatory genes and established a framework for analyzing signaling center development.

Citing Articles

Cortical hem signaling center: functions, development, and potential implications for evolution and brain disorders.

Chizhikov V, Iskusnykh I Neural Regen Res. 2024; 20(4):1079-1080.

PMID: 38989940 PMC: 11438340. DOI: 10.4103/NRR.NRR-D-23-01796.

Lmx1a is a master regulator of the cortical hem.

Iskusnykh I, Fattakhov N, Li Y, Bihannic L, Kirchner M, Steshina E Elife. 2023; 12.

PMID: 37725078 PMC: 10508884. DOI: 10.7554/eLife.84095.

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