Vsx1 Transiently Defines an Early Intermediate V2 Interneuron Precursor Compartment in the Mouse Developing Spinal
Cédric Francius1, María Hidalgo-Figueroa1, Stéphanie Debrulle1
1Laboratory of Neural Differentiation, Institute of Neuroscience, Université catholique de Louvain Brussels, Belgium.
Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience
|January 14, 2017
Summary
Researchers discovered a new intermediate precursor cell in spinal cord development. These Vsx1-expressing cells are crucial for generating diverse V2 interneurons, advancing our understanding of motor control development.
Area of Science:
- Developmental neurobiology
- Molecular neuroscience
- Spinal cord development
Background:
- Spinal ventral interneurons are essential for motor control.
- Interneuron development originates from specific progenitor domains along the neural tube's dorso-ventral axis.
- The p2 progenitor domain generates multiple V2 interneuron subsets, but the precise mechanism of their diversification is unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether V2 interneuron diversification occurs within the p2 progenitor domain or involves later V2 interneuron compartments.
- To identify and characterize intermediate V2 precursor cells involved in V2 interneuron development.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of gene expression patterns (Vsx1, Foxn4, Pax6) in developing spinal cord.
- Cell cycle exit and neuronal differentiation assays.
- Investigation of Notch signaling pathway involvement.
Main Results:
- The p2 domain generates an intermediate V2 precursor compartment expressing the transcriptional repressor Vsx1.
- These Vsx1-positive precursors are distinct from mature V2 interneurons, have exited the cell cycle, but have not yet differentiated.
- These precursors coexpress Vsx1 and Foxn4, indicating potential to generate known and novel V2 interneuron subsets.
- Vsx1 precursor generation is independent of Notch signaling, but Vsx1 expression requires Pax6.
Conclusions:
- The p2 progenitor domain produces an intermediate V2 precursor compartment characterized by Vsx1 expression.
- This intermediate compartment plays a significant role in the development of V2 interneurons.
- Understanding this precursor stage offers new insights into the molecular mechanisms governing V2 interneuron diversity and spinal cord motor control.
