Hedgehog signaling from the ZLI regulates diencephalic regional identity.
The zona limitans intrathalamica (ZLI), a narrow compartment in the vertebrate forebrain that bisects the diencephalon transversely, expresses the secreted factor sonic hedgehog (Shh). Because genetic disruption of Shh in mouse causes severe early developmental defects, this strategy has not been useful in identifying a ZLI-specific role for this gene. To modulate Shh signaling in a spatiotemporally restricted manner, we carried out gain- and loss-of-function experiments in chick embryos using in ovo electroporation and found that Shh signaling is required for region-specific gene expression in thalamus and prethalamus, the major diencephalic brain areas flanking the ZLI. We further show that differential competence of thalamic and prethalamic primordia in responding to Shh signaling is regulated by the transcription factor Irx3. We show that, through the release of Shh, the ZLI functions as a local signaling center that regulates the acquisition of identity for these important diencephalic regions.
Kiecker
Clemens
C
MRC Centre for Developmental Neurobiology, 4th Floor, New Hunt's House, Guy's Hospital Campus, King's College, London SE1 1UL, UK.
Lumsden
Andrew
A
D000818:Animals; D019521:Body Patterning / Q000502:physiology; D002642:Chick Embryo; D004027:Diencephalon / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism*; D018274:Electroporation / Q000379:methods; D047108:Embryonic Development; D015870:Gene Expression; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / Q000502:physiology*; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D053823:Hedgehog Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000379:methods; D017403:In Situ Hybridization / Q000379:methods; D020646:Intralaminar Thalamic Nuclei / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism*; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D016296:Mutagenesis / Q000502:physiology; D015513:Oncogene Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D000072079:Patched Receptors; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology*; D015534:Trans-Activators; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D000071676:Zinc Finger Protein GLI1
D053823:Hedgehog Proteins; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D015513:Oncogene Proteins; D000072079:Patched Receptors; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D015534:Trans-Activators; D014157:Transcription Factors; D000071676:Zinc Finger Protein GLI1; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins