Graded activity of transcription factor Runx3 specifies the laminar termination pattern of sensory axons in the developing spinal cord

Albert I Chen; Joriene C de Nooij; Thomas M Jessell

doi:10.1016/j.neuron.2005.12.028

Graded activity of transcription factor Runx3 specifies the laminar termination pattern of sensory axons in the developing spinal cord

Neuron. 2006 Feb 2;49(3):395-408. doi: 10.1016/j.neuron.2005.12.028.

Authors

Albert I Chen¹, Joriene C de Nooij, Thomas M Jessell

Affiliation

¹ Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biophysics, Center for Neurobiology & Behavior, Columbia University, 701 West 168th Street, New York, New York 10032, USA.

PMID: 16446143
DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2005.12.028

Abstract

Different functional classes of dorsal root ganglion sensory neurons project their axons to distinct target zones within the developing spinal cord. To explore the mechanisms that link sensory neuron subtype identity and axonal projection pattern, we analyzed the roles of Runx and ETS transcription factors in the laminar targeting of sensory afferents. Gain- and loss-of-function studies in chick embryos reveal that the status of Runx3 expression is a major determinant of the dorso-ventral position of termination of proprioceptive and cutaneous sensory axons. In addition, the level of expression and/or activity of Runx3 in individual proprioceptive sensory neurons appears to specify whether their axons terminate in intermediate or ventral regions. Our findings suggest that the selectivity of Runx3 expression, and its level of activity, control sensory afferent targeting in the developing spinal cord.

Publication types

Comparative Study
Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Animals
Axons / drug effects
Axons / physiology*
Cell Count / methods
Chick Embryo
Core Binding Factor Alpha 2 Subunit / metabolism
Core Binding Factor Alpha 3 Subunit / metabolism*
Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
Electroporation / methods
Fluorescent Antibody Technique / methods
Functional Laterality
Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / drug effects
Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / physiology
Genes, myc / physiology
Green Fluorescent Proteins / metabolism
Homeodomain Proteins / metabolism
Models, Biological
Molecular Biology / methods
Nerve Fibers / metabolism
Nerve Regeneration / physiology
Neurons, Afferent / classification
Neurons, Afferent / cytology*
Neurons, Afferent / drug effects
RNA, Double-Stranded / pharmacology
Receptor, trkA / metabolism
Spinal Cord / cytology*
Spinal Cord / embryology

Substances

Core Binding Factor Alpha 2 Subunit
Core Binding Factor Alpha 3 Subunit
Homeodomain Proteins
RNA, Double-Stranded
Green Fluorescent Proteins
Receptor, trkA