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GABAergic and glutamatergic identities of developing midbrain Pitx2 neurons
Author(s) -
Waite M.R.,
Skidmore J.M.,
Billi A.C.,
Martin J.F.,
Martin D.M.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
developmental dynamics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.634
H-Index - 141
eISSN - 1097-0177
pISSN - 1058-8388
DOI - 10.1002/dvdy.22532
Subject(s) - biology , gabaergic , midbrain , neuroscience , glutamatergic , homeobox , transcription factor , glutamate receptor , genetics , central nervous system , inhibitory postsynaptic potential , receptor , gene
Pitx2 , a paired‐like homeodomain transcription factor, is expressed in post‐mitotic neurons within highly restricted domains of the embryonic mouse brain. Previous reports identified critical roles for PITX2 in histogenesis of the hypothalamus and midbrain, but the cellular identities of PITX2‐positive neurons in these regions were not fully explored. This study characterizes Pitx2 expression with respect to midbrain transcription factor and neurotransmitter phenotypes in mid‐to‐late mouse gestation. In the dorsal midbrain, we identified Pitx2 ‐positive neurons in the stratum griseum intermedium (SGI) as GABAergic and observed a requirement for PITX2 in GABAergic differentiation. We also identified two Pitx2 ‐positive neuronal populations in the ventral midbrain, the red nucleus, and a ventromedial population, both of which contain glutamatergic precursors. Our data suggest that PITX2 is present in regionally restricted subpopulations of midbrain neurons and may have unique functions that promote GABAergic and glutamatergic differentiation. Developmental Dynamics 240:333–346, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.