Homologs of genes expressed in Caenorhabditis elegans GABAergic neurons are also found in the developing mouse forebrain.
BACKGROUND
In an effort to identify genes that specify the mammalian forebrain, we used a comparative approach to identify mouse homologs of transcription factors expressed in developing Caenorhabditis elegans GABAergic neurons. A cell-specific microarray profiling study revealed a set of transcription factors that are highly expressed in embryonic C. elegans GABAergic neurons.


RESULTS
Bioinformatic analyses identified mouse protein homologs of these selected transcripts and their expression pattern was mapped in the mouse embryonic forebrain by in situ hybridization. A review of human homologs indicates several of these genes are potential candidates in neurodevelopmental disorders.


CONCLUSIONS
Our comparative approach has revealed several novel candidates that may serve as future targets for studies of mammalian forebrain development.
Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37232, USA. liz.hammock@vanderbilt.edu
Elizabeth A D
EA
Hammock
Kathie L
KL
Eagleson
Susan
S
Barlow
Laurie R
LR
Earls
David M
DM
Miller
Pat
P
Levitt
D000818:Animals; D017173:Caenorhabditis elegans / Q000235:genetics; D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D002469:Cell Separation; D002874:Chromosome Mapping; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D006801:Humans; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D055495:Neurogenesis / Q000235:genetics*; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D016548:Prosencephalon / Q000502:physiology*; D017386:Sequence Homology, Amino Acid; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000378:metabolism
D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid