Emx2 promotes symmetric cell divisions and a multipotential fate in precursors from the cerebral cortex.
Distinct sets of precursor cells generate the mammalian cerebral cortex. During neurogenesis most precursors are specified to generate a single cell type and only few are multipotent. The cell-intrinsic molecular determinants of these distinct lineages are not known. Here we describe that retroviral transduction of the transcription factor Emx2 in precursors from the cerebral cortex results in a significant increase of large clones that are generated mostly by symmetric cell divisions and contain multiple cell types, comprising neurons and glial cells. Thus, Emx2 is the first cell-intrinsic determinant able to instruct CNS precursors towards a multipotential fate. To evaluate the role of endogenous Emx2 in cortical precursors, we examined cell division in Emx2-/- mice. These analyses further supported the role of endogenous Emx2 in the regulation of symmetric cell divisions in the developing cortex.
Heins
N
N
Max-Planck Institute for Neurobiology, Munich, Germany.
Cremisi
F
F
Malatesta
P
P
Gangemi
R M
RM
Corte
G
G
Price
J
J
Goudreau
G
G
Gruss
P
P
Götz
M
M
D000818:Animals; D019521:Body Patterning / Q000235:genetics; D016923:Cell Death / Q000235:genetics; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000235:genetics*; D002455:Cell Division / Q000235:genetics*; D019070:Cell Lineage / Q000235:genetics*; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000235:genetics; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology* / Q000378:metabolism; D002999:Clone Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus; D017930:Genes, Reporter / Q000502:physiology; D005822:Genetic Vectors / Q000502:physiology; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D008938:Mitosis / Q000502:physiology; D009457:Neuroglia / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000172:deficiency / Q000235:genetics; D014161:Transduction, Genetic; D000099260:Empty Spiracles Homeobox Proteins
D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; D014157:Transcription Factors; D000099260:Empty Spiracles Homeobox Proteins