The Phox2 homeodomain proteins are sufficient to promote the development of sympathetic neurons.
The development of sympathetic neurons is controlled by a network of transcriptional regulators, including the paired homeodomain proteins Phox2a and Phox2b. To understand the role of Phox2 proteins in more detail, the effect of Phox2 overexpression was analysed in the avian peripheral nervous system. Phox2a expression in neural crest cultures elicited a strong increase in the number of sympathoadrenergic cells. Expression of Phox2a in the chick embryo promoted the generation of additional neurons expressing the noradrenergic marker genes DBH and TH, pan-neuronal genes SCG10 and NF160 and cholinergic genes ChAT and VAChT. Phox2a-induced neurons were found in ectopic locations such as dorsal root ganglia and peripheral nerve. Sympathoadrenergic development could be elicited in cultures of E5 dorsal root ganglia, demonstrating the presence of Phox2a-responsive cells in non-autonomic peripheral ganglia. Phox2b induced ectopic neurons in the chick embryo in the same way as Phox2a. These results show that Phox2 proteins are sufficient to promote sympathetic neuron generation and control, directly or indirectly, the expression of a large number of genes characteristic for sympathetic neurons.
Stanke
M
M
Max-Planck-Institut für Hirnforschung, Abt. Neurochemie, Deutschordenstrasse 46, Germany.
Junghans
D
D
Geissen
M
M
Goridis
C
C
Ernsberger
U
U
Rohrer
H
H
D000818:Animals; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000235:genetics; D002642:Chick Embryo; D002795:Choline O-Acetyltransferase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D046508:Culture Techniques; D004299:Dopamine beta-Hydroxylase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D004625:Embryo, Nonmammalian / Q000821:virology; D004627:Embryonic Induction / Q000235:genetics; D005727:Ganglia, Spinal / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism*; D009475:Neurons, Afferent / Q000378:metabolism; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D051096:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-ret; D011784:Quail / Q000196:embryology; D020794:Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D011941:Receptors, Adrenergic / Q000378:metabolism; D012190:Retroviridae / Q000235:genetics; D013564:Sympathetic Nervous System / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology*; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D014446:Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D050494:Vesicular Acetylcholine Transport Proteins; D033921:Vesicular Transport Proteins
D002352:Carrier Proteins; D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins; C109220:NBPhox protein; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; D011941:Receptors, Adrenergic; D014157:Transcription Factors; D050494:Vesicular Acetylcholine Transport Proteins; D033921:Vesicular Transport Proteins; D014446:Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase; D004299:Dopamine beta-Hydroxylase; D002795:Choline O-Acetyltransferase; D051096:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-ret; D020794:Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases; C416649:Ret protein, Drosophila