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Published on: June 17, 2014
Beta-catenin signaling negatively regulates intermediate progenitor population numbers in the developing cortex
Christopher A Mutch1, Jessica D Schulte, Eric Olson
1Department of Pathology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America.
Plos One
|September 3, 2010
Summary
Beta-catenin signaling negatively regulates the number of intermediate progenitor cells in the developing mammalian cerebral cortex. This Wnt/beta-catenin pathway activity in radial glial progenitors controls the production of these crucial cells.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Intermediate progenitor cells are a key proliferative cell type in mammalian cerebral cortex development.
- Factors governing intermediate progenitor production remain largely unknown.
- The precise role of beta-catenin signaling in this process is poorly understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of Wnt/beta-catenin signaling in regulating intermediate progenitor cell number during cortical development.
- To elucidate the relationship between beta-catenin signaling and the transition from radial glial progenitors to intermediate progenitors.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a transgenic reporter mouse (Axin2) to track Wnt/beta-catenin signaling activity.
- Employed conditional gene deletion and expression strategies in mouse cortical neural progenitors.
- Quantified intermediate progenitor cell populations under varying beta-catenin signaling conditions.
Main Results:
- Beta-catenin signaling was found to be decreased in intermediate progenitor cells compared to radial glial progenitors.
- Conditional deletion of beta-catenin increased intermediate progenitor cell numbers.
- Conditional expression of stabilized beta-catenin reduced the intermediate progenitor population.
Conclusions:
- Wnt/beta-catenin signaling in radial glial progenitors acts as a negative regulator of intermediate progenitor cell production.
- This signaling pathway is critical for controlling the balance of progenitor cell types during cortical development.
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