title: Molecular analysis of gene expression in the developing pontocerebellar projection system.
abstract: As an approach toward understanding the molecular mechanisms of neuronal differentiation, we utilized DNA microarrays to elucidate global patterns of gene expression during pontocerebellar development. Through this analysis, we identified groups of genes specific to neuronal precursor cells, associated with axon outgrowth, and regulated in response to contact with synaptic target cells. In the cerebellum, we identified a phase of granule cell differentiation that is independent of interactions with other cerebellar cell types. Analysis of pontine gene expression revealed that distinct programs of gene expression, correlated with axon outgrowth and synapse formation, can be decoupled and are likely influenced by different cells in the cerebellar target environment. Our approach provides insight into the genetic programs underlying the differentiation of specific cell types in the pontocerebellar projection system.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA.
authors.forename: Elva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Díaz
authors.forename: Yongchao
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ge
authors.forename: Yee Hwa
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Kenneth C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Loh
authors.forename: Tito A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Serafini
authors.forename: Yasushi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Okazaki
authors.forename: Yoshihide
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Hayashizaki
authors.forename: Terence P
authors.initials: TP
authors.lastname: Speed
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ngai
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Scheiffele
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D051792:Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Proteins; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000235:genetics*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002531:Cerebellum / Q000166:cytology / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism; D056742:Cyclin D2; D016213:Cyclins / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008818:Mice, Neurologic Mutants; D009434:Neural Pathways / Q000166:cytology / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism; D009457:Neuroglia / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D020411:Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis; D011149:Pons / Q000166:cytology / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism; D011689:Purkinje Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D018079:Receptors, GABA / Q000235:genetics; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D051792:Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Proteins; D056742:Cyclin D2; D016213:Cyclins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D018079:Receptors, GABA; D014157:Transcription Factors; C500943:Atoh1 protein, mouse; C486196:Ccnd2 protein, mouse