Project description:The mammalian cerebral cortex contains an extraordinary diversity of cell types that emerge through the implementation of different developmental programs. Delineating when and how cellular diversification occurs is particularly challenging for cortical inhibitory neurons, as they represent a relatively small proportion of all cortical cells, migrate tangentially from their embryonic origin to the cerebral cortex, and have a protracted development. Here we combine single-cell RNA sequencing and spatial transcriptomics to characterize the emergence of neuronal diversity among somatostatin-expressing (SST+) cells, the most diverse subclass of inhibitory neurons in the mouse cerebral cortex. We found that SST+ inhibitory neurons segregate during embryonic stages into long-range projection (LRP) neurons and two types of interneurons, Martinotti cells and non-Martinotti cells, following distinct developmental trajectories. Two main subtypes of LRP neurons and several subtypes of interneurons are readily distinguishable in the embryo, although interneuron diversity is further refined during early postanal life. Our results suggest that the timing for cellular diversification is unique for different subtypes of SST+ neurons and particularly divergent for LRP neurons and interneurons. Thus, the diversification of SST+ inhibitory neurons involves a temporal cascade of unique molecular programs driving their divergent developmental trajectories.
Project description:<p>Lysosomes are key cellular organelles that metabolize extra- and intra-cellular substrates. Alterations in lysosomal metabolism are implicated in aging-associated metabolic and neurodegenerative diseases. However, how lysosomal metabolism actively coordinates the metabolic and nervous systems to regulate aging remains unclear. Here, we report a fat-to-neuron lipid signaling pathway induced by lysosomal metabolism and its longevity promoting role in <em>Caenorhabditis elegans</em>. We discovered that induced lysosomal lipolysis in peripheral fat storage tissue up-regulates the neuropeptide signaling pathway in the nervous system to promote longevity. This cell-non-autonomous regulation is mediated by a 47 specific polyunsaturated fatty acid, dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid (DGLA) and LBP-3 lipid chaperone protein transporting from the fat storage tissue to neurons. LBP-3 binds to DGLA, and acts through NHR-49 nuclear receptor and NLP-11 neuropeptide in neurons to extend lifespan. These results reveal lysosomes as a signaling hub to coordinate metabolism and aging, and lysosomal signaling mediated inter-tissue communication in promoting longevity.</p>
Project description:The fact that Parkinsons disease (PD) can arise from numerous genetic mutations suggests a unifying molecular pathology underlying the various genetic backgrounds. In order to address this hypothesis, an integrated approach utilizing in vitro disease modeling and comprehensive transcriptome profiling was taken to advance our understanding of PD progression and the concordant downstream signaling pathways across divergent genetic predispositions. To model PD in vitro, neurons harboring disease-causing mutations were generated from patient-specific, induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and found to recapitulate several disease-related phenotypes. Signs of degeneration in PD midbrain dopaminergic (mDA) neurons were observed, reflecting the cardinal feature of PD. In addition, novel gene expression signatures were revealed for PD mDA neurons, providing molecular insights to disease phenotype observed in vitro, including oxidative stress vulnerability and altered neuronal activity. Notably, detailed transcriptome profiling of PD neurons showed that elevated RBFOX1, a gene previously linked to neurodevelopmental diseases, is responsible for a pattern of alternative RNA processing associated with PD-specific phenotypes in vitro.
Project description:Meso-diencephalic dopaminergic (mdDA) neurons are critical for motor control and cognitive functioning and their loss or dysfunction is associated with disorders such as Parkinson’s disease (PD), schizophrenia and addiction. However, relatively little is known about the molecular mechanisms underlying mdDA neuron development and maintenance. Here, we determined the spatiotemporal map of genes involved in the development of mdDA neurons to gain further insights into their molecular programming. Genome-wide gene expression profiles of the developing ventral mesencephalon (VM) were compared at different developmental stages leading to the identification of novel regulatory roles of neuronal signaling through nicotinic acthylcholine receptors (Chrna6 and Chrnb3 subunits) and the identification of novel transcription factors (OC1 and 2)) involved in the generation of mdDA neuronal field. We show here that Pitx3 in cooperation with Nurr1 are the critical components in the activation of the Chrna6 and b3 subunits in mdDA neurons. Furthermore, we provide evidence of two divergent regulatory pathways resulting in the expression of Chrna6 and Chrnb3 respectively. Embryonic ventral midbrain (VM) tissue was used to generate RNA samples for microarray analysis. Each sample consists of pooled RNA from three embryonic VMs, and is hybridized twice (in both dye orientations) against a common reference RNA (KC001-ref) consisting of pooled RNA from adult VMs. Each embryonic stages E10.5, E11.5, E12.5 and E13.5 is analysed from three independant samples.
Project description:Meso-diencephalic dopaminergic (mdDA) neurons are critical for motor control and cognitive functioning and their loss or dysfunction is associated with disorders such as Parkinson’s disease (PD), schizophrenia and addiction. However, relatively little is known about the molecular mechanisms underlying mdDA neuron development and maintenance. Here, we determined the spatiotemporal map of genes involved in the development of mdDA neurons to gain further insights into their molecular programming. Genome-wide gene expression profiles of the developing ventral mesencephalon (VM) were compared at different developmental stages leading to the identification of novel regulatory roles of neuronal signaling through nicotinic acthylcholine receptors (Chrna6 and Chrnb3 subunits) and the identification of novel transcription factors (OC1 and 2)) involved in the generation of mdDA neuronal field. We show here that Pitx3 in cooperation with Nurr1 are the critical components in the activation of the Chrna6 and b3 subunits in mdDA neurons. Furthermore, we provide evidence of two divergent regulatory pathways resulting in the expression of Chrna6 and Chrnb3 respectively.
Project description:We report that developmental competition between sympathetic neurons for survival is critically dependent on a sensitization process initiated by target innervation and mediated by a series of feedback loops. Target-derived nerve growth factor (NGF) promoted expression of its receptor TrkA in neurons and prolonged TrkA-mediated signals. NGF also controlled expression of brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and neurotrophin-4 (NT4), which, through the receptor p75, can kill neighboring neurons with low retrograde NGFâ??TrkA signaling whereas neurons with high NGFâ??TrkA signaling are protected. Perturbation of any of these feedback loops disrupts the dynamics of competition. We suggest that three target-initiated events are essential for rapid and robust competition between neurons: sensitization, paracrine apoptotic signaling, and protection from such effects. Experiment Overall Design: This experiment examine gene expression differences in superior cervical ganglia fro P0 bax null versus NGF-Bax double null animals. The Bax genotype was used in order to prevent the neuronal cell death normally observed in the NGF null animal.
Project description:Primary objectives: Characterization of the macrophage population subset that is modulated by enteric neurons
Primary endpoints: Characterization of the macrophage population subset that is modulated by enteric neurons via RNA sequencing
Project description:Here we describe a novel class of short RNAs that indicate widespread divergent transcription at mammalian promoters Small RNA cloning and deep sequencing from human embryonic stem cells, derived neural progenitors and neurons