Hoxb1 controls anteroposterior identity of vestibular projection neurons

Yiju Chen; Masumi Takano-Maruyama; Bernd Fritzsch; Gary O Gaufo

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0034762

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Hoxb1 controls anteroposterior identity of vestibular projection neurons

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Hoxb1 controls anteroposterior identity of vestibular projection neurons

Yiju Chen, Masumi Takano-Maruyama, Bernd Fritzsch and Gary O Gaufo

PloS one, Vol.7(4), pp.e34762-e34762

2012

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0034762

PMCID: PMC3317634

PMID: 22485187

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Abstract

The vestibular nuclear complex (VNC) consists of a collection of sensory relay nuclei that integrates and relays information essential for coordination of eye movements, balance, and posture. Spanning the majority of the hindbrain alar plate, the rhombomere (r) origin and projection pattern of the VNC have been characterized in descriptive works using neuroanatomical tracing. However, neither the molecular identity nor developmental regulation of individual nucleus of the VNC has been determined. To begin to address this issue, we found that Hoxb1 is required for the anterior-posterior (AP) identity of precursors that contribute to the lateral vestibular nucleus (LVN). Using a gene-targeted Hoxb1-GFP reporter in the mouse, we show that the LVN precursors originate exclusively from r4 and project to the spinal cord in the stereotypic pattern of the lateral vestibulospinal tract that provides input into spinal motoneurons driving extensor muscles of the limb. The r4-derived LVN precursors express the transcription factors Phox2a and Lbx1, and the glutamatergic marker Vglut2, which together defines them as dB2 neurons. Loss of Hoxb1 function does not alter the glutamatergic phenotype of dB2 neurons, but alters their stereotyped spinal cord projection. Moreover, at the expense of Phox2a, the glutamatergic determinants Lmx1b and Tlx3 were ectopically expressed by dB2 neurons. Our study suggests that the Hox genes determine the AP identity and diversity of vestibular precursors, including their output target, by coordinating the expression of neurotransmitter determinant and target selection properties along the AP axis.

Gene Expression

Green Fluorescent Proteins - metabolism

Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors - genetics

Vestibular Nucleus, Lateral - cytology

Vestibular Nucleus, Lateral - embryology

Homeodomain Proteins - metabolism

Recombinant Fusion Proteins - metabolism

Homeodomain Proteins - genetics

Mice, Knockout

Muscle Proteins - genetics

Spinal Cord - embryology

Animals

Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors - metabolism

Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental

Body Patterning

Muscle Proteins - metabolism

Neurons - physiology

Female

Mice

Neurons - metabolism

Spinal Cord - cytology

Homeodomain Proteins - physiology

Details

Title: Subtitle: Hoxb1 controls anteroposterior identity of vestibular projection neurons
Creators: Yiju Chen - Department of Biology, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, United States of America
Masumi Takano-Maruyama
Bernd Fritzsch
Gary O Gaufo
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: PloS one, Vol.7(4), pp.e34762-e34762
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0034762
PMID: 22485187
PMCID: PMC3317634
NLM abbreviation: PLoS One
ISSN: 1932-6203
eISSN: 1932-6203
Publisher: Public Library of Science; United States
Grant note: U54 NS060658 / NINDS NIH HHS DC010362 / NIDCD NIH HHS NS060658 / NINDS NIH HHS DC005590 / NIDCD NIH HHS R01 DC005590 / NIDCD NIH HHS P30 DC010362 / NIDCD NIH HHS
Language: English
Date published: 2012
Academic Unit: Iowa Neuroscience Institute; Biology; Craniofacial Anomalies Research Center
Record Identifier: 9984070986802771

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