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Discrete domains of gene expression in germinal layers distinguish the development of gyrencephaly
Author(s) -
de Juan Romero Camino,
Bruder Carl,
Tomasello Ugo,
SanzAnquela José Miguel,
Borrell Víctor
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
the embo journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 7.484
H-Index - 392
eISSN - 1460-2075
pISSN - 0261-4189
DOI - 10.15252/embj.201591176
Subject(s) - biology , gene expression , gene , regulation of gene expression , germinal center , compartment (ship) , cortex (anatomy) , transcriptome , genetics , evolutionary biology , neuroscience , antibody , oceanography , b cell , geology
Abstract Gyrencephalic species develop folds in the cerebral cortex in a stereotypic manner, but the genetic mechanisms underlying this patterning process are unknown. We present a large‐scale transcriptomic analysis of individual germinal layers in the developing cortex of the gyrencephalic ferret, comparing between regions prospective of fold and fissure. We find unique transcriptional signatures in each germinal compartment, where thousands of genes are differentially expressed between regions, including ~80% of genes mutated in human cortical malformations. These regional differences emerge from the existence of discrete domains of gene expression, which occur at multiple locations across the developing cortex of ferret and human, but not the lissencephalic mouse. Complex expression patterns emerge late during development and map the eventual location of folds or fissures. Protomaps of gene expression within germinal layers may contribute to define cortical folds or functional areas, but our findings demonstrate that they distinguish the development of gyrencephalic cortices.