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Genetic Manipulation of the Mouse Developing Hypothalamus through In utero Electroporation
Published on: July 24, 2013
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Neuronal tangential migration from Nkx2.1-positive hypothalamus
Raquel Murcia-Ramón1, Verónica Company1, Iris Juárez-Leal1
1Instituto de Neurociencias de Alicante, Universidad Miguel Hernández-CSIC, 03550, Sant Joan d'Alacant, Alicante, Spain.
Brain Structure & Function
|November 4, 2020
Summary
Neurons originating in the Nkx2.1-positive hypothalamic region migrate tangentially to form parts of the prethalamus and mes-diencephalic tegmental region, developing a gabaergic phenotype.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Neuronal migration is crucial for central nervous system development.
- The Nkx2.1-positive ventricular layer is known to contribute neurons to forebrain regions via tangential migration.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate tangential neuronal migration from the Nkx2.1-positive hypothalamic territory.
- To identify the destinations and developmental timing of these migrating neurons.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a transgenic mouse line with tdTomato reporter under the Nkx2.1 promoter.
- Analyzed Nkx2.1-positive cell distribution at embryonic day 18.5.
- Employed time-lapse experiments on open neural tube explants.
Main Results:
- Nkx2.1-positive neurons contribute to the prethalamus (zona incerta) and mes-diencephalic tegmental region.
- Nkx2.1 expression diminishes in early-born neurons, indicating dynamic gene regulation.
- Identified two distinct tangential migratory streams: one caudal and one dorsocaudal.
Conclusions:
- The Nkx2.1-positive hypothalamic territory is a source of interneurons for both the mes-diencephalic reticular formation and the prethalamic zona incerta complex.
- These tangentially migrated neurons acquire a gabaergic phenotype.
- The study elucidates novel migratory pathways in the developing hypothalamus.
