Open AccessSix3 is required for ependymal cell maturation
Author(s) -
Alfonso Lavado,
Guillermo Oliver
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
development
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.754
H-Index - 325
eISSN - 1477-9129
pISSN - 0950-1991
DOI - 10.1242/dev.067470
Subject(s) - neuroblast , ependymal cell , biology , neurogenesis , lateral ventricles , subventricular zone , embryonic stem cell , anatomy , microbiology and biotechnology , neuroscience , neural stem cell , central nervous system , stem cell , genetics , gene
Ependymal cells are part of the neurogenic niche in the adult subventricular zone of the lateral ventricles, where they regulate neurogenesis and neuroblast migration. Ependymal cells are generated from radial glia cells during embryonic brain development and acquire their final characteristics postnatally. The homeobox gene Six3 is expressed in ependymal cells during the formation of the lateral wall of the lateral ventricles in the brain. Here, we show that Six3 is necessary for ependymal cell maturation during postnatal stages of brain development. In its absence, ependymal cells fail to suppress radial glia characteristics, resulting in a defective lateral wall, abnormal neuroblast migration and differentiation, and hydrocephaly.