PUBLICATION

Specification of sensory neurons occurs through diverse developmental programs functioning in the brain and spinal cord

Authors
Dyer, C., Linker, C., Graham, A., Knight, R.
ID
ZDB-PUB-140903-7
Date
2014
Source
Developmental Dynamics : an official publication of the American Association of Anatomists   243(11): 1429-39 (Journal)
Registered Authors
Knight, Robert
Keywords
Mesencephalic Trigeminal Nucleus, Notch, Rohon-Beard, neural crest, proprioception
MeSH Terms
  • Animals
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins/metabolism*
  • Tegmentum Mesencephali/cytology
  • Central Nervous System/cytology*
  • Central Nervous System/embryology*
  • Sensory Receptor Cells/metabolism
  • Sensory Receptor Cells/physiology*
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Signal Transduction/physiology
  • Image Processing, Computer-Assisted
  • In Situ Hybridization
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental/physiology*
  • Cell Differentiation/physiology
  • Transcription Factors/metabolism*
  • Receptors, Notch/metabolism
  • Zebrafish/embryology*
  • Microscopy, Confocal
  • Gene Expression Profiling
(all 18)
PubMed
25179866 Full text @ Dev. Dyn.
Abstract
Background Vertebrates possess two populations of sensory neurons located within the central nervous system: Rohon-Beard (RB) and mesencephalic trigeminal nucleus (MTN) neurons. RB neurons are transient spinal cord neurons whilst MTN neurons are the proprioceptive cells that innervate the jaw muscles. It has been suggested that MTN and RB neurons share similarities and may have a common developmental program, but it is unclear how similar or different their development is. Results We have dissected RB and MTN neuronal specification in zebrafish. We find that RB and MTN neurons express a core set of genes indicative of sensory neurons, but find these are also expressed by adjacent diencephalic neurons. Unlike RB neurons, our evidence argues against a role for the neural crest during MTN development. We additionally find that neurogenin1 function is dispensable for MTN differentiation, unlike RB cells and all other sensory neurons. Finally, we demonstrate that, although Notch signalling is involved in RB development, it is not involved in the generation of MTN cells. Conclusions Our work reveals fundamental differences between the development of MTN and RB neurons and suggests that these populations are non-homologous and thus have distinct developmental and, probably, evolutionary origins.
Genes / Markers
Marker Marker Type Name
crestinGENEcrestin
dlaGENEdeltaA
dlbGENEdeltaB
dlcGENEdeltaC
dldGENEdeltaD
drgxGENEdorsal root ganglia homeobox
foxd3GENEforkhead box D3
her4.1GENEhairy-related 4, tandem duplicate 1
hey1GENEhes-related family bHLH transcription factor with YRPW motif 1
hey2GENEhes-related family bHLH transcription factor with YRPW motif 2
1 - 10 of 20
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Figures
Figure Gallery (5 images)
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Expression
Phenotype
Mutations / Transgenics
Allele Construct Type Affected Genomic Region
baz1
    Point Mutation
    knu3TgTransgenic Insertion
      sb1TgTransgenic Insertion
        zf15TgTransgenic Insertion
          1 - 4 of 4
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          Human Disease / Model
          No data available
          Sequence Targeting Reagents
          Target Reagent Reagent Type
          neurog1MO4-neurog1MRPHLNO
          1 - 1 of 1
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          Fish
          Antibodies
          Name Type Antigen Genes Isotypes Host Organism
          Ab2-islmonoclonalIgG2bMouse
          zn-12monoclonal
            IgG1Mouse
            1 - 2 of 2
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            Orthology
            No data available
            Engineered Foreign Genes
            Marker Marker Type Name
            EGFPEFGEGFP
            GFPEFGGFP
            1 - 2 of 2
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            Mapping
            No data available