A sustained Hox program delineates brainstem neurons essential for breathing.

ABSTRACT: Respiratory neurons in the brainstem must diversify and acquire unique properties during development to enable breathing at birth. Dbx1-expressing progenitors give rise to functionally and molecularly distinct excitatory respiratory populations, including rhythm-generating pre-Botzinger complex (preBotC) neurons and phrenic motor neuron (MN)-projecting rostral Ventral Respiratory Group (rVRG) neurons. These neurons are organized rostrocaudally within the ventral respiratory column (VRC) but, despite their critical functions in breathing, the mechanisms that control their organization and diversification are not well understood. Here, we generate a novel genetic tool to label brainstem neurons within the VRC. We find that rVRG neurons selectively express Hox5 genes through postnatal stages.

SUBMITTER: Moore MT 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12324499 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature