Identification of Molecular Programs That Generate Neuronal Circuit Diversity

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21670002
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (S)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Research Field: Nerve anatomy/Neuropathology
• Research Institution: Osaka University
• Principal Investigator: SHIRASAKI Ryuichi 大阪大学, 生命機能研究科, 准教授 (40423149)
• Project Period (FY): 2009-05-11 – 2014-03-31
• Keywords: 神経発生分化 / 神経回路網形成 / 運命決定因子 / 転写調節因子 / 遺伝子発現制御 / 交連ニューロン / 軸索ガイダンス / 正中交差

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We identified the progenitor homeodomain factor Dbx1 as a crucial genetic determinant of commissural neurons in the dorsal midbrain. We also found that the Dbx1-triggered transcriptional program ultimately induces the expression of Robo3 for midline crossing, which is hierarchically regulated via the expression of the homeodomain factor Evx2 at the postmitotic stage. Furthermore, we showed that Dbx1 suppresses in parallel the expression of ipsilateral neuron genetic programs to consolidate the identity of commissural neurons.

Free Research Field

神経科学