BAF chromatin remodeling complex: cortical size regulation and beyond.

Area of Science:

• Developmental biology
• Molecular biology
• Genetics

Background:

• The multi-subunit BAF chromatin remodeling complex is crucial for development.
• BAF170, a BAF subunit, interacts with transcription factor Pax6.
• This interaction influences cortical size and volume by regulating gene expression.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the interaction between the BAF complex and Pax6 in cortical development.
• To explore the role of BAF170 and BAF155 subunit competition in neurogenesis.
• To understand the BAF complex's role in embryonic body size determination.

Main Methods:

• Cortex-specific conditional knockout and overexpression mouse models.
• Analysis of gene expression related to intermediate progenitors and neuronal subtypes.
• Investigating subunit competition within the BAF complex.

Main Results:

• BAF170-Pax6 interaction suppresses expression of key genes for cortical intermediate progenitor genesis and neuronal subtype specification.
• Dynamic competition between BAF170 and BAF155 subunits modulates mammalian cortex size.
• This subunit competition also influences embryonic body size.

Conclusions:

• The chromatin remodeling BAF complex, through interaction with Pax6, acts as a cell-intrinsic mechanism controlling cortical development.
• Competition between BAF170 and BAF155 subunits is a key regulatory event in neurogenesis and body size determination.
• These findings provide new insights into the BAF complex's role in vertebrate development and body shape.