Genetic interplay between the transcription factors Sp8 and Emx2 in the patterning of the forebrain

doi:10.1186/1749-8104-2-8

Neural Development

Volume 2

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Griesel G
Stoykova A
Mansouri A

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Research article

Genetic interplay between the transcription factors Sp8 and Emx2 in the patterning of the forebrain

Andreas Zembrzycki¹^,2^* , Gundula Griesel¹^* , Anastasia Stoykova¹^,2 and Ahmed Mansouri¹^,2^,3

¹Max Planck Institute of Biophysical Chemistry, Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Am Fassberg, 37077 Goettingen, Germany

²DFG Center for the Molecular Physiology of the Brain, CMPB, Goettingen, Germany

³Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, University Goettingen, Robert-Koch-Str., 37075 Goettingen, Germany

author email corresponding author email* Contributed equally

Neural Development 2007, 2:8doi:10.1186/1749-8104-2-8


Published:	30 April 2007

Abstract

Background

The forebrain consists of multiple structures necessary to achieve elaborate functions. Proper patterning is, therefore, a prerequisite for the generation of optimal functional areas. Only a few factors have been shown to control the genetic networks that establish early forebrain patterning.

Results and conclusion

Using conditional inactivation, we show that the transcription factor Sp8 has an essential role in the molecular and functional patterning of the developing telencephalon along the anteroposterior axis by modulating the expression gradients of Emx2 and Pax6. Moreover, Sp8 is essential for the maintenance of ventral cell identity in the septum and medial ganglionic eminence (MGE). This is probably mediated through a positive regulatory interaction with Fgf8 in the medial wall, and Nkx2.1 in the rostral MGE anlage, and independent of SHH and WNT signaling. Furthermore, Sp8 is required during corticogenesis to sustain a normal progenitor pool, and to control preplate splitting, as well as the specification of cellular diversity within distinct cortical layers.