title: The role of Otx genes in progenitor domains of ventral midbrain.
abstract: The mesencephalic dopaminergic (mesDA) neurons play a relevant role in the control of movement, behaviour and cognition. Indeed loss and/or abnormal development of mesDA neurons is responsible for Parkinson's disease as well as for addictive and psychiatric disorders. A wealth of information has been provided on gene functions involved in the molecular mechanism controlling identity, fate and survival of mesDA neurons. Collectively, these studies are contributing to a growing knowledge of the genetic networks required for proper mesDA development, thus disclosing new perspectives for therapeutic approaches of mesDA disorders. Here we will focus on the control exerted by Otx genes in early decisions regulating the differentiation of progenitors located in the ventral midbrain. In this context, the regulatory network involving Otx functional interactions with signalling molecules and transcription factors required to promote or prevent the development of mesDA neurons will be analyzed in detail.
authors.affiliation: CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate and SEMM European School of Molecular Medicine, via Comunale Margherita 482, 80145 Naples, Italy. simeone@ceinge.unina.it
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Simeone
authors.forename: Eduardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Puelles
authors.forename: Dario
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Acampora
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Omodei
authors.forename: Pietro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mancuso
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Giovanni Di Giovannantonio
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D019521:Body Patterning / Q000235:genetics; D019070:Cell Lineage / Q000235:genetics; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000235:genetics; D004298:Dopamine / Q000378:metabolism*; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008636:Mesencephalon / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D055495:Neurogenesis / Q000235:genetics; D051857:Otx Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D051857:Otx Transcription Factors; D004298:Dopamine