Open AccessDistribution of parthenogenetic cells in the mouse brain and their influence on brain development and behavior.
Author(s) -
Nick Allen,
Kay Logan,
G Lally,
Deborah Drage,
M. L. Norris,
Eric B. Keverne
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
proceedings of the national academy of sciences of the united states of america
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.011
H-Index - 771
eISSN - 1091-6490
pISSN - 0027-8424
DOI - 10.1073/pnas.92.23.10782
Subject(s) - biology , embryo , central nervous system , chimera (genetics) , parthenogenesis , hypothalamus , brain development , neuroscience , genetically modified mouse , transgene , microbiology and biotechnology , embryogenesis , genomic imprinting , cell fate determination , neural development , aggression , gene , genetics , gene expression , psychology , transcription factor , psychiatry , dna methylation
A systematic analysis of parthenogenetic (PG) cell fate within the central nervous system (CNS) was made throughout fetal development and neonatal and adult life. Chimeras were made between PG embryos carrying a ubiquitously expressed lacZ transgene and normal fertilized embryos. After detailed histological analysis, we find that the developmental potential of PG cells is spatially restricted to certain parts of the brain. PG cells are prevalent in telencephalic structures and are largely excluded from diencephalic structures, especially the hypothalamus. These spatial restrictions are established early in development. Behavioral studies with chimeras identified an increase in male aggression when the proportion of PG cells in the brain was high. These studies demonstrate that imprinted genes play key roles in development of the CNS and may be involved in behavior.