Open AccessDefining developmental diversification of diencephalon neurons through single-cell gene expression profiling
Author(s) -
Qiu Guo,
Kairong Li
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
development
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.15
H-Index - 36
eISSN - 1477-9129
pISSN - 0950-1991
DOI - 10.1242/dev.174284
Subject(s) - biology , diencephalon , forebrain , homeobox , thalamus , neurogenesis , embryonic stem cell , corticogenesis , transcriptome , progenitor cell , gene expression profiling , neuroscience , cell fate determination , gene , gene expression , genetics , transcription factor , stem cell , central nervous system
The embryonic diencephalon form integration centers and relay stations in the forebrain. Anecdotal expression studies suggest that the diencephalon contains multiple developmental compartments and subdivisions. Here, we utilized single-cell RNA sequencing to profile transcriptomes of dissociated cells from the diencephalon of E12.5 mouse embryos. We identified the divergence of different progenitors, intermediate progenitors, and emerging neurons. By mapping the identified cell groups to their spatial origins, we characterized the molecular features of cell types and cell states arising from various diencephalic domains. Furthermore, we reconstructed the developmental trajectory of distinct cell lineages, and thereby identified the genetic cascades and gene regulatory networks underlying the progression of the cell cycle, neurogenesis, and cellular diversification. The analysis provides new insights into the molecular mechanism underlying the amplification of intermediate progenitor cells in the thalamus. The single-cell-resolved trajectories not only confirm a close relationship between the rostral thalamus and prethalamus, but also uncover an unexpected close relationship between the caudal thalamus, epithalamus and rostral pretectum. Our data provide a useful resource for systematic study of cell heterogeneity and differentiation kinetics within the diencephalon.