Identification of novel spinal cholinergic genetic subtypes disclose Chodl and Pitx2 as markers for fast motor neurons and partition cells.
Spinal cholinergic neurons are critical for motor function in both the autonomic and somatic nervous systems and are affected in spinal cord injury and in diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and spinal muscular atrophy. Using two screening approaches and in situ hybridization, we identified 159 genes expressed in typical cholinergic patterns in the spinal cord. These include two general cholinergic neuron markers, one gene exclusively expressed in motor neurons, and nine genes expressed in unknown subtypes of somatic motor neurons. Further, we present evidence that chondrolectin (Chodl) is expressed by fast motor neurons and that estrogen-related receptor beta (ERRbeta) is a candidate marker for slow motor neurons. In addition, we suggest paired-like homeodomain transcription factor 2 (Pitx2) as a marker for cholinergic partition cells.
Enjin
Anders
A
Department of Neuroscience, Uppsala University, 751 23 Uppsala, Sweden.
Rabe
Nadine
N
Nakanishi
Stan T
ST
Vallstedt
Anna
A
Gezelius
Henrik
H
Memic
Fatima
F
Lind
Magnus
M
Hjalt
Tord
T
Tourtellotte
Warren G
WG
Bruder
Carl
C
Eichele
Gregor
G
Whelan
Patrick J
PJ
Kullander
Klas
K
D000818:Animals; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D037181:Lectins, C-Type / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D009046:Motor Neurons / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D020411:Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis; D018408:Patch-Clamp Techniques; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D000097577:Homeobox Protein PITX2
D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; D037181:Lectins, C-Type; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D014157:Transcription Factors; D000097577:Homeobox Protein PITX2; C474775:chondrolectin, mouse; C107914:estrogen receptor-related receptor beta