title: Nuclear factor one X regulates the development of multiple cellular populations in the postnatal cerebellum.
abstract: Development of the cerebellum involves the coordinated proliferation, differentiation, maturation, and integration of cells from multiple neuronal and glial lineages. In rodent models, much of this occurs in the early postnatal period. However, our understanding of the molecular mechanisms that regulate this phase of cerebellar development remains incomplete. Here, we address the role of the transcription factor nuclear factor one X (NFIX), in postnatal development of the cerebellum. NFIX is expressed by progenitor cells within the external granular layer and by cerebellar granule neurons within the internal granule layer. Using NFIX⁻/⁻ mice, we demonstrate that the development of cerebellar granule neurons and Purkinje cells within the postnatal cerebellum is delayed in the absence of this transcription factor. Furthermore, the differentiation of mature glia within the cerebellum, such as Bergmann glia, is also significantly delayed in the absence of NFIX. Collectively, the expression pattern of NFIX, coupled with the delays in the differentiation of multiple cell populations of the developing cerebellum in NFIX⁻/⁻ mice, suggest a central role for NFIX in the regulation of cerebellar development, highlighting the importance of this gene for the maturation of this key structure.
authors.affiliation: School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia. m.piper@uq.edu.au
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Piper
authors.forename: Lachlan
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Harris
authors.forename: Guy
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Barry
authors.forename: Yee Hsieh Evelyn
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Heng
authors.forename: Celine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Plachez
authors.forename: Richard M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Gronostajski
authors.forename: Linda J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Richards
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D002531:Cerebellum / Q000166:cytology* / Q000254:growth & development*; D003594:Cytoplasmic Granules / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D051839:NFI Transcription Factors / Q000502:physiology*; D055495:Neurogenesis / Q000502:physiology*; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D051839:NFI Transcription Factors; C497650:Nfix protein, mouse