Coordinate Regulation of Motor Neuron Subtype Identity and Pan-Neuronal Properties by the bHLH Repressor Olig2

Within the developing vertebrate nervous system, the mechanisms that coordinate neuronal subtype identity with generic features of neuronal differentiation are poorly defined. We show here that a bHLH protein, Olig2, is expressed selectively by motor neuron progenitors and has a key role in specifyi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Neuron (Cambridge, Mass.) Mass.), 2001-09, Vol.31 (5), p.773-789
Main Authors: Novitch, Bennett G., Chen, Albert I., Jessell, Thomas M.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors
Body Patterning - genetics
Cell Cycle - physiology
Cell Differentiation - physiology
Central Nervous System - cytology
Central Nervous System - embryology
Central Nervous System - metabolism
Chick Embryo
Fetus
Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental - physiology
Helix-Loop-Helix Motifs - genetics
Homeodomain Proteins - genetics
Immunohistochemistry
In Situ Hybridization
Mice
Molecular Sequence Data
Motor Neurons - cytology
Motor Neurons - metabolism
Nerve Tissue Proteins - genetics
Olig2 protein
Oligodendrocyte Transcription Factor 2
Protein Structure, Tertiary - genetics
Repressor Proteins - genetics
Stem Cells - cytology
Stem Cells - metabolism
Transcription Factors - physiology
Transcription, Genetic - physiology
Vertebrata
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Summary:Within the developing vertebrate nervous system, the mechanisms that coordinate neuronal subtype identity with generic features of neuronal differentiation are poorly defined. We show here that a bHLH protein, Olig2, is expressed selectively by motor neuron progenitors and has a key role in specifying the subtype identity and pan-neuronal properties of developing motor neurons. The role of Olig2 in the specification of motor neuron subtype identity depends on regulatory interactions with progenitor homeodomain proteins, whereas its role in promoting pan-neuronal properties is associated with expression of another bHLH protein, Ngn2. Both aspects of Olig2 function appear to depend on its activity as a transcriptional repressor. Together, these studies show that Olig2 has a critical role in integrating diverse features of motor neuron differentiation in the developing spinal cord.
ISSN:0896-6273
1097-4199
DOI:10.1016/S0896-6273(01)00407-X