Mice without transcription factor KLF7 provide new insight into olfactory bulb development.
Recent genetic studies have excluded that peripheral innervation plays a substantial role in the initial outgrowth of the olfactory bulb. Mice without Kruppel-like factor 7 activity die at birth and display hypoplastic olfactory bulbs which lack peripheral innervation. Here, we report that incomplete penetrance of the mutation is responsible for partial bulb innervation in a small fraction of Klf7 null mice. Analysis of the partially innervated bulbs of mutant embryos, newborns and adult mice revealed an obligatory correlation with local restoration of laminar architecture, neuronal cell differentiation and neuronal activity. The degree of normal OB maturation in Klf7-/- OBs was proportional to the degree of peripheral innervation. These findings therefore indicate that peripheral innervation contributes to bulb maturation late in development by promoting cell morphogenesis and differentiation.
Laub
Friedrich
F
Child Health Institute of New Jersey-UMDNJ-Robert W. Johnson Medical School, 89 French Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA.
Dragomir
Cecilia
C
Ramirez
Francesco
F
D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D020287:In Situ Nick-End Labeling; D051741:Kruppel-Like Transcription Factors / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D009154:Mutation / Q000502:physiology; D009830:Olfactory Bulb / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology / Q000254:growth & development*; D019683:Penetrance; D010641:Phenotype; D011247:Pregnancy
C426008:Klf7 protein, mouse; D051741:Kruppel-Like Transcription Factors