Expression pattern of the winged-helix/forkhead transcription factor Foxp1 in the developing central nervous system

The winged-helix/forkhead transcription factor gene family has been shown to play important roles in the development of the central nervous system (CNS) as well as heart, lung, and liver. Recently, we have identified Foxp1, a novel subfamily of winged-helix/forkhead genes, which was abundant in the lung and brain of adult mice. Here we analyzed the expression pattern of Foxp1 in the developing CNS using in situ hybridization. The expression of Foxp1 mRNA was first detected in the ventral horn of the spinal cord at 9.5 days postcoitum. During the late-stage of development, its gene expression was not detectable in neuroepithelia, but was clearly observed in the postmitotic neurons of various CNS regions, including caudate-putamen, neocortex, several brainstem nuclei, and cerebellum. In neonates, its gene expression was persisted in these motor-related regions.