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Identification of novel spinal cholinergic genetic subtypes disclose Chodl and Pitx2 as markers for fast motor neurons and partition cells
Author(s) -
Enjin Anders,
Rabe Nadine,
Nakanishi Stan T.,
Vallstedt Anna,
Gezelius Henrik,
Memic Fatima,
Lind Magnus,
Hjalt Tord,
Tourtellotte Warren G.,
Bruder Carl,
Eichele Gregor,
Whelan Patrick J.,
Kullander Klas
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
journal of comparative neurology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.855
H-Index - 209
eISSN - 1096-9861
pISSN - 0021-9967
DOI - 10.1002/cne.22332
Subject(s) - biology , neuroscience , motor neuron , cholinergic , spinal cord , amyotrophic lateral sclerosis , cholinergic neuron , spinal muscular atrophy , gdf7 , gene , medicine , genetics , disease , embryonic stem cell
Spinal cholinergic neurons are critical for motor function in both the autonomic and somatic nervous systems and are affected in spinal cord injury and in diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and spinal muscular atrophy. Using two screening approaches and in situ hybridization, we identified 159 genes expressed in typical cholinergic patterns in the spinal cord. These include two general cholinergic neuron markers, one gene exclusively expressed in motor neurons, and nine genes expressed in unknown subtypes of somatic motor neurons. Further, we present evidence that chondrolectin ( Chodl ) is expressed by fast motor neurons and that estrogen‐related receptor β ( ERRβ ) is a candidate marker for slow motor neurons. In addition, we suggest paired‐like homeodomain transcription factor 2 ( Pitx2 ) as a marker for cholinergic partition cells. J. Comp. Neurol. 518:2284–2304, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.