1: Genes Dev. 2000 Sep 1;14(17):2134-9. 

Ventral neural patterning by Nkx homeobox genes: Nkx6.1 controls somatic motor
neuron and ventral interneuron fates.

Sander M, Paydar S, Ericson J, Briscoe J, Berber E, German M, Jessell TM,
Rubenstein JL.

Hormone Research Institute, Department of Medicine, University of California-San
Francisco, San Franscisco, California 94143, USA.

There is growing evidence that sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling regulates ventral
neuronal fate in the vertebrate central nervous system through Nkx-class
homeodomain proteins. We have examined the patterns of neurogenesis in mice
carrying a targeted mutation in Nkx6.1. These mutants show a dorsal-to-ventral
switch in the identity of progenitors and in the fate of postmitotic neurons. At
many axial levels there is a complete block in the generation of V2 interneurons
and motor neurons and a compensatory ventral expansion in the domain of
generation of V1 neurons, demonstrating the essential functions of Nkx6.1 in
regional patterning and neuronal fate determination.

PMID: 10970877 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]


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