Novel genetic tools facilitate the study of cortical neuron migration

• Published in: Mammalian genome 2016-02, Vol.27 (1-2), p.8-16
• Main Authors: Cionni, Megan, Menke, Chelsea, Stottmann, Rolf W.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Alleles; Animal Genetics and Genomics; Animals; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Cell Adhesion Molecules, Neuronal - genetics; Cell Adhesion Molecules, Neuronal - metabolism; Cell Biology; cell differentiation; Cell Movement; Cerebellum - metabolism; Cerebellum - ultrastructure; cerebral cortex; Cerebral Cortex - metabolism; Cerebral Cortex - ultrastructure; cortex; Crosses, Genetic; DNA-Binding Proteins - genetics; DNA-Binding Proteins - metabolism; Embryonic Stem Cells - cytology; Embryonic Stem Cells - metabolism; Extracellular Matrix Proteins - genetics; Extracellular Matrix Proteins - metabolism; Female; Founder Effect; Gene Expression; genetic techniques and protocols; genetically modified organisms; Green Fluorescent Proteins - genetics; Green Fluorescent Proteins - metabolism; Hippocampus - metabolism; Hippocampus - ultrastructure; Human Genetics; humans; Life Sciences; Male; Mice; Mice, Transgenic; Nerve Tissue Proteins - genetics; Nerve Tissue Proteins - metabolism; neurons; Plasmids - chemistry; Plasmids - metabolism; Pyramidal Cells - metabolism; Pyramidal Cells - ultrastructure; Recombinant Fusion Proteins - genetics; Recombinant Fusion Proteins - metabolism; Serine Endopeptidases - genetics; Serine Endopeptidases - metabolism; Transcription Factors - genetics; Transcription Factors - metabolism; Transfection
• ISSN: 0938-8990; 1432-1777
• DOI: 10.1007/s00335-015-9615-6

Key facets of mammalian forebrain cortical development include the radial migration of projection neurons and subsequent cellular differentiation into layer-specific subtypes. Inappropriate regulation of these processes can lead to a number of congenital brain defects in both mouse and human, including lissencephaly and intellectual disability. The genes regulating these processes are still not all identified, suggesting genetic analyses will continue to be a powerful tool in mechanistically studying the development of the cerebral cortex. Reelin is a molecule which we have understood to be critical for proper cortical development for many years. The precise mechanism of Reelin, however, is not fully understood. To address both of these unresolved issues, we report here the creation of a novel conditional allele of the Reelin gene and showcase the use of an Etv1-GFP transgenic line highlighting a subpopulation of the cortex: layer V pyramidal neurons. Together, these represent genetic tools which may facilitate the study of cortical development in a number of different ways.