Dynamic expression of RGS4 in the developing nervous system and regulation by the neural type-specific transcription factor Phox2b.
Previous studies have shown that members of the family of regulators of G-protein signaling (RGS), including RGS4, have a discrete expression pattern in the adult brain (Gold et al., 1997). Here, we describe for RGS4 a distinct, mostly transient phase of neuronal expression, during embryonic development: transcription of RGS4 occurs in a highly dynamic manner in a small set of peripheral and central neuronal precursors. This expression pattern overlaps extensively with that of the paired-like homeodomain protein Phox2b, a determinant of neuronal identity. In embryos deficient for Phox2b, RGS4 expression is downregulated in the locus coeruleus, sympathetic ganglia, and cranial motor and sensory neurons. Moreover, Phox2b cooperates with the basic helix-loop-helix protein Mash1 to transiently switch on RGS4 after ectopic expression in the chicken spinal cord. Intriguingly, we also identify a heterotrimeric G-protein alpha-subunit, gustducin, as coexpressed with RGS4 in developing facial motor neurons, also under the control of Phox2b. Altogether, these data identify components of the heterotrimeric G-protein signaling pathway as part of the type-specific program of neuronal differentiation.
Grillet
Nicolas
N
Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Unité Mixte de Recherche 8542, Département de Biologie, Ecole Normale Supérieure, 75005 Paris, France.
Dubreuil
Véronique
V
Dufour
Héloïse D
HD
Brunet
Jean-François
JF
D000818:Animals; D051792:Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Proteins; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology; D002642:Chick Embryo; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / Q000502:physiology*; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D009046:Motor Neurons / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D009420:Nervous System / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism*; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D017933:Peripheral Nervous System / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism; D020710:RGS Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D012249:Rhombencephalon / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000378:metabolism*; D015293:Transducin / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
D051792:Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Proteins; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; D020710:RGS Proteins; D014157:Transcription Factors; D015293:Transducin; C499317:Ascl1 protein, mouse; C109220:NBPhox protein; C075192:gustducin; C098799:RGS4 protein