GATA-3 is involved in the development of serotonergic neurons in the caudal raphe nuclei.
The GATA-3 transcription factor shows a specific and restricted expression pattern in the developing and adult mouse brain. In the present study we investigated the role of GATA-3 in the caudal raphe system, which is known to operate as a modulator of motor activity. We demonstrate that virtually all neurons in the caudal raphe nuclei that express GATA-3 also produce serotonin. Absence of GATA-3, as analyzed in chimeric -/- mice, affects the cytoarchitecture of serotonergic neurons in the caudal raphe nuclei. As a result the chimeras show a serious defect in their locomotor performance on a rotating rod. In sum, we conclude that GATA-3 plays a major role in the development of the serotonergic neurons of the caudal raphe nuclei, and that it is crucial for their role in locomotion.
van Doorninck
J H
JH
Departments of Cell Biology and Genetics and Anatomy, Erasmus University Rotterdam, 3000 DR Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
van Der Wees
J
J
Karis
A
A
Goedknegt
E
E
Engel
J D
JD
Coesmans
M
M
Rutteman
M
M
Grosveld
F
F
De Zeeuw
C I
CI
D000818:Animals; D001933:Brain Stem / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D002678:Chimera; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000172:deficiency / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D050990:GATA3 Transcription Factor; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007763:Lac Operon; D051379:Mice; D008817:Mice, Mutant Strains; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism*; D011903:Raphe Nuclei / Q000166:cytology / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D012701:Serotonin / Q000378:metabolism*; D015534:Trans-Activators / Q000172:deficiency / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*
D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D050990:GATA3 Transcription Factor; C494748:Gata3 protein, mouse; D015534:Trans-Activators; D012701:Serotonin