Isl1-Lhx3 fusion specifies motor neuron fate by inducing motor neuron genes and concomitantly suppressing the interneuron programs

ABSTRACT: Combinatorial transcription codes generate the myriad of cell types during development, and thus likely provide crucial insights into directed differentiation of stem cells to a specific cell type. The LIM-complex composed of Isl1 and Lhx3 directs the specification of spinal motor neurons (MNs) in embryos. Here, we report that Isl1-Lhx3, a LIMcomplex-mimicking fusion, induces a signature of MN transcriptome and concomitantly suppresses interneuron differentiation programs, thereby serving as a potent and specific inducer of MNs in stem cells. We show that an equimolar ratio of Isl1 and Lhx3 and the LIM-domain of Lhx3 are crucial for generating MNs without upregulating interneuron genes. These led us to design Isl1-Lhx3, which maintains the desirable 1:1 ratio of Isl1 and Lhx3 and the LIM-d

ORGANISM(S): Mus musculus

SUBMITTER: Rongkun Shen 

PROVIDER: E-GEOD-35510 | biostudies-arrayexpress |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-arrayexpress