The cellular function of MASH1 in autonomic neurogenesis.
Using primary cultures and immortalized multipotential stem cell lines derived from wild-type and Mash1 mutant neural crest cells, we have analyzed the cellular function of MASH1 in autonomic neurogenesis. We present evidence for the existence of a precursor expressing MASH1 and neuronal markers such as neurofilament, neuron-specific tubulin, and tetanus toxin receptor. This cell has a nonneuronal morphology. Differentiation of this precursor to neurons that express markers such as SCG10, peripherin, and neuron-specific enolase is dependent upon MASH1 function. These data imply that the differentiation of autonomic neurons from uncommitted neural crest cells occurs in several sequential steps. Moreover, they suggest that MASH1 does not commit multipotent cells to a neural fate, like its Drosophila achaete-scute counterparts, but rather promotes the differentiation of a committed neuronal precursor.
Sommer
L
L
Division of Biology 216-76, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena 91125, USA.
Shah
N
N
Rao
M
M
Anderson
D J
DJ
D000818:Animals; D001341:Autonomic Nervous System / Q000196:embryology*; D051792:Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Proteins; D015415:Biomarkers; D002460:Cell Line; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000502:physiology*; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000378:metabolism; D005314:Embryonic and Fetal Development; D005728:Ganglia, Sympathetic / Q000196:embryology; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D009154:Mutation; D009432:Neural Crest / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism; D010641:Phenotype; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000502:physiology*
D051792:Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Proteins; D015415:Biomarkers; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D014157:Transcription Factors; C499317:Ascl1 protein, mouse