Lhx5 controls mamillary differentiation in the developing hypothalamus of the mouse.

ABSTRACT: Acquisition of specific neuronal identity by individual brain nuclei is a key step in brain development. However, how the mechanisms that confer neuronal identity are integrated with upstream regional specification networks is still mysterious. Expression of Sonic hedgehog (Shh), is required for hypothalamic specification and is later downregulated by Tbx3 to allow for the differentiation of the tubero-mamillary region. In this region, the mamillary body (MBO), is a large neuronal aggregate essential for memory formation. To clarify how MBO identity is acquired after regional specification, we investigated Lhx5, a transcription factor with restricted MBO expression. We first generated a hypomorph allele of Lhx5-in homozygotes, the MBO disappears after initial specification. Intriguingly, i

SUBMITTER: Heide M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4536661 | biostudies-literature | 2015

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature