Region-specific and stage-dependent regulation of Olig gene expression and oligodendrogenesis by Nkx6.1 homeodomain transcription factor.
During early neural development, the Nkx6.1 homeodomain neural progenitor gene is specifically expressed in the ventral neural tube, and its activity is required for motoneuron generation in the spinal cord. We report that Nkx6.1 also controls oligodendrocyte development in the developing spinal cord, possibly by regulating Olig gene expression in the ventral neuroepithelium. In Nkx6.1 mutant spinal cords, expression of Olig2 in the motoneuron progenitor domain is diminished, and the generation and differentiation of oligodendrocytes are significantly delayed and reduced. The regulation of Olig gene expression by Nkx6.1 is stage dependent, as ectopic expression of Nkx6.1 in embryonic chicken spinal cord results in an induction of Olig2 expression at early stages, but an inhibition at later stages. Moreover, the regulation of Olig gene expression and oligodendrogenesis by Nkx6.1 also appears to be region specific. In the hindbrain, unlike in the spinal cord, Olig1 and Olig2 can be expressed both inside and outside the Nkx6.1-expressing domains and oligodendrogenesis in this region is not dependent on Nkx6.1 activity.
Liu
Rugao
R
Department of Anatomical Sciences and Neurobiology, School of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40292, USA.
Cai
Jun
J
Hu
Xuemei
X
Tan
Min
M
Qi
Yingchuan
Y
German
Michael
M
Rubenstein
John
J
Sander
Maike
M
Qiu
Mengsheng
M
D000818:Animals; D051792:Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Proteins; D001921:Brain / Q000196:embryology; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000235:genetics; D002642:Chick Embryo; D005314:Embryonic and Fetal Development / Q000235:genetics; D018257:Helix-Loop-Helix Motifs; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D051379:Mice; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D000076104:Oligodendrocyte Transcription Factor 2; D009836:Oligodendroglia / Q000166:cytology; D009928:Organ Specificity; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000196:embryology
D051792:Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Proteins; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D000076104:Oligodendrocyte Transcription Factor 2; C491328:Nkx6-1 protein, mouse; C512773:Olig2 protein, mouse