Single-cell RNA sequencing reveals midbrain dopamine neuron diversity emerging during mouse brain development.

ABSTRACT: Midbrain dopamine (mDA) neurons constitute a heterogenous group of cells that have been intensely studied, not least because their degeneration causes major symptoms in Parkinson's disease. Understanding the diversity of mDA neurons - previously well characterized anatomically - requires a systematic molecular classification at the genome-wide gene expression level. Here, we use single cell RNA sequencing of isolated mouse neurons expressing the transcription factor Pitx3, a marker for mDA neurons. Analyses include cells isolated during development up until adulthood and the results are validated by histological characterization of newly identified markers. This identifies seven neuron subgroups divided in two major branches of developing Pitx3-expressing neurons. Five of them express dopa

SUBMITTER: Tiklova K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6362095 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature