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Downstream genes of Pax6 revealed by comprehensive transcriptome profiling in the developing rat hindbrain
Keiko Numayama-Tsuruta1, Yoko Arai, Masanori Takahashi
1Division of Developmental Neuroscience, Center for Translational and Advanced Animal Research, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8575, Japan.
BMC Developmental Biology
|January 20, 2010
Summary
Pax6 is crucial for brain development, regulating gene expression. This study identifies Unc5h1 and Cyp26b1 as new Pax6 targets, suggesting Pax6 controls hindbrain patterning by regulating retinoic acid metabolism.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- The transcription factor Pax6 is vital for central nervous system development.
- Pax6 controls downstream gene expression to mediate its functions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify genes regulated by Pax6 in the developing rat hindbrain.
- To understand Pax6's role in hindbrain patterning and signal transduction.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive transcriptome profiling using microarrays in Pax6 mutant and wild-type rat hindbrains.
- Computational analysis to identify differentially expressed genes, including those with low fold changes.
- Quantitative RT-PCR and in situ hybridization for validation.
Main Results:
- Identified numerous differentially expressed genes, revealing Pax6's involvement in signal transduction pathways.
- Confirmed upregulation/downregulation of candidate genes via RT-PCR.
- Showed reduced expression of Fabp7, Dbx1, Unc5h1, and Cyp26b1 in Pax6 mutants; Cyp26b1 expression was absent in specific hindbrain regions, correlating with altered rhombomere size.
Conclusions:
- Unc5h1 and Cyp26b1 are novel candidate target genes of Pax6.
- Pax6 may regulate hindbrain anterior-posterior patterning through Cyp26b1, an enzyme involved in retinoic acid metabolism.
