Mutations of the homeobox genes Dlx-1 and Dlx-2 disrupt the striatal subventricular zone and differentiation of late born striatal neurons

Neuron. 1997 Jul;19(1):27-37. doi: 10.1016/s0896-6273(00)80345-1.

Abstract

The striatum has a central role in many neurobiological processes, yet little is known about the molecular control of its development. Inroads to this subject have been made, due to the discovery of transcription factors, such as the Dlx genes, whose expression patterns suggest that they have a role in striatal development. We report that mice lacking both Dlx-1 and Dlx-2 have a time-dependent block in striatal differentiation. In these mutants, early born neurons migrate into a striatum-like region, which is enriched for markers of the striosome (patch) compartment. However, later born neurons accumulate within the proliferative zone. Several lines of evidence suggest that mutations in Dlx-1 and Dlx-2 produce abnormalities in the development of the striatal subventricular zone and in the differentiation of striatal matrix neurons.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Differentiation / genetics*
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Corpus Striatum / metabolism*
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics*
  • Homeodomain Proteins / genetics*
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Mice
  • Mutation / genetics*
  • Neurons / metabolism
  • RNA-Binding Proteins
  • Time Factors
  • Transcription Factors

Substances

  • Cytoskeletal Proteins
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Distal-less homeobox proteins
  • Homeodomain Proteins
  • RNA-Binding Proteins
  • Tes protein, mouse
  • Transcription Factors