MafA transcription factor identifies the early ret-expressing sensory neurons.
Dorsal root ganglia proceed from the coalescence of cell bodies of sensory neurons, which have migrated dorsoventrally from the delaminating neural crest. They are composed of different neuronal subtypes with specific sensory functions, including nociception, thermal sensation, proprioception, and mechanosensation. In contrast to proprioceptors and thermonociceptors, little is known about the molecular mechanisms governing the early commitment and later differentiation into mechanosensitive neurons. This is mainly due to the absence of specific molecular markers for this particular cell type. Using knockout mice, we identified the bZIP transcription factor MafA as the first specific marker of a subpopulation of "early c-ret" positive neurons characterized by medium-to-large diameters. This marker will allow further functional characterization of these neurons.
Lecoin
Laure
L
Institut Curie, Orsay F-91405, France.
Rocques
Nathalie
N
El-Yakoubi
Warif
W
Ben Achour
Sarrah
S
Larcher
Magalie
M
Pouponnot
Celio
C
Eychène
Alain
A
D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000235:genetics; D019070:Cell Lineage / Q000235:genetics; D048429:Cell Size; D005727:Ganglia, Spinal / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology*; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / Q000235:genetics; D005819:Genetic Markers / Q000235:genetics; D051473:Maf Transcription Factors, Large / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D008465:Mechanoreceptors / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D016254:Mutagenesis, Insertional; D009432:Neural Crest / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology*; D051096:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-ret / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D011984:Sensory Receptor Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*
D005819:Genetic Markers; D051473:Maf Transcription Factors, Large; C485160:Mafa protein, mouse; D051096:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-ret