Molecular mechanisms for neural differentiation and layer-specific projection

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project Area: Neural Diversity and Neocortical Organization
• Project/Area Number: 22123007
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research on Innovative Areas (Research in a proposed research area)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Review Section: Biological Sciences
• Research Institution: Tohoku University
• Principal Investigator: OSUMI Noriko 東北大学, 医学(系)研究科(研究院), 教授 (00220343)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): SUTO Fumikazu 国立精神, 神経医療研究センター神経研究所, 室長 (40345848)
• Project Period (FY): 2010-04-01 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: neocortex / development / Pax6 / ninein / Dmrta1 / plexin-A4

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The mammalian neocortex consists with various types of neurons that forms specific neuronal networks. Production of these neurons requires proper maintenance and differentiation of neural progenitor cells. In this study, we focused on the function of Pax6 transcription factor and its downstream molecules. We found that a centrosomal protein ninein regulates nuclear movement of neural progenitor cells via anchoring to microtubles. We also revealed that Dmrta1 functions to induce Neurogenin2 that is critical for production of excitatory neurons within the developing neocortex. Furthermore, an axon guidance molecule plexin-A4 is observed to be expressed in the layer IV neurons not only of the somatosensory cortex but also of the visual cortex, suggesting that these neurons may regulate projection from the thalamus.

Free Research Field

神経発生学