Area identity shifts in the early cerebral cortex of Emx2-/- mutant mice.
The specification of area identities in the cerebral cortex is a complex process, primed by intrinsic cortical cues and refined after the arrival of afferent fibers from the thalamus. Little is known about the genetic control of the early steps of this process, but the distinctive expression pattern of the homeogene Emx2 in the developing cortex has prompted suggestions that it is critical in this context. We tested this hypothesis using Emx2 -/- mice. We found that the normal spectrum of cortical areal identities was encoded in these mutants, but areas with caudal-medial identities were reduced and those with anterior-lateral identities were relatively expanded in the cortex.
Mallamaci
A
A
Department of Biological and Technological Research (DIBIT), Istituto Scientifico H. San Raffaele, via Olgettina 58, 20132 Milan, Italy.
Muzio
L
L
Chan
C H
CH
Parnavelas
J
J
Boncinelli
E
E
D000344:Afferent Pathways / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D001931:Brain Mapping; D015816:Cell Adhesion Molecules, Neuronal / Q000032:analysis; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000502:physiology*; D003463:Cues; D058851:GPI-Linked Proteins; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D019579:Neocortex / Q000502:physiology; D009412:Nerve Fibers / Q000502:physiology; D020800:Receptor, Nerve Growth Factor / Q000032:analysis; D014157:Transcription Factors; D001616:beta-Galactosidase / Q000235:genetics; D000099260:Empty Spiracles Homeobox Proteins
D015816:Cell Adhesion Molecules, Neuronal; D058851:GPI-Linked Proteins; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; D020800:Receptor, Nerve Growth Factor; D014157:Transcription Factors; D001616:beta-Galactosidase; D000099260:Empty Spiracles Homeobox Proteins; C095362:limbic system-associated membrane protein