title: Molecular programming of stem cells into mesodiencephalic dopaminergic neurons.
abstract: In a screen for homeobox transcription factors expressed in the embryonic ventral midbrain, Andersson et al. recently identified Lmx1a and Msx1. Using in ovo electroporation in chick embryos, they showed that these factors are crucial for initiating the differentiation of neuroepithelial progenitor neurons into mesodiencephalic dopaminergic (mdDA) neurons. Lmx1a also initiated a developmental program that drove an mdDA phenotype in mouse embryonic stem cells. This indicates that these factors can be exploited in cell-replacement strategies for treatment of Parkinson's disease.
authors.affiliation: Rudolf Magnus Institute of Neuroscience, Department of Pharmacology and Anatomy, University Medical Center Utrecht, PO Box 85060, 3508 AB Utrecht, The Netherlands. j.p.h.burbach@med.uu.nl
authors.forename: J Peter H
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Burbach
authors.forename: Marten P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Smidt
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002642:Chick Embryo; D004298:Dopamine / Q000378:metabolism; D033041:Embryo Research; D053823:Hedgehog Proteins; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism; D060850:LIM-Homeodomain Proteins; D051957:MSX1 Transcription Factor / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D008636:Mesencephalon / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D009474:Neurons / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D015534:Trans-Activators / Q000378:metabolism; D014157:Transcription Factors
chemical_list: D053823:Hedgehog Proteins; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; D060850:LIM-Homeodomain Proteins; C489692:Lmx1a protein, mouse; D051957:MSX1 Transcription Factor; C484084:Msx1 protein, mouse; C491328:Nkx6-1 protein, mouse; C465570:Shh protein, mouse; D015534:Trans-Activators; D014157:Transcription Factors; D004298:Dopamine