Whisker-related neural patterns develop normally despite severe whisker defects in Msx2 knockout mice.
In mice, whiskers on the snout form a highly specialized tactile organ with exquisitely patterned neural representations in the brain. Targeted deletion of the Msx2 gene leads to severe craniofacial defects, and stubby, curly whiskers. We examined the whisker pad histology, innervation, and whisker-related pattern formation along the trigeminal pathway in Msx2 -/- mice. Although the whiskers are severely deformed, whisker follicle structure, pattern and density of innervation, as well as central neural patterns in the brainstem, thalamus, and cortex appeared normal. We conclude that whisker-related neural patterns can form in the absence of normal whiskers, as long as whisker follicle innervation is intact.
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Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, 1901 Perdido Street, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA.
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D000818:Animals; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D003576:Electron Transport Complex IV / Q000032:analysis; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D013003:Somatosensory Cortex / Q000196:embryology* / Q000201:enzymology; D014110:Touch; D014738:Vibrissae / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000294:innervation*
D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; C084119:MSX2 protein; D003576:Electron Transport Complex IV