Astrocytes and neurons share region-specific transcriptional signatures that confer regional identity to neuronal reprogramming.

ABSTRACT: Neural cell diversity is essential to endow distinct brain regions with specific functions. During development, progenitors within these regions are characterized by specific gene expression programs, contributing to the generation of diversity in postmitotic neurons and astrocytes. While the region-specific molecular diversity of neurons and astrocytes is increasingly understood, whether these cells share region-specific programs remains unknown. Here, we show that in the neocortex and thalamus, neurons and astrocytes express shared region-specific transcriptional and epigenetic signatures. These signatures not only distinguish cells across these two brain regions but are also detected across substructures within regions, such as distinct thalamic nuclei, where clonal analysis reveals the

SUBMITTER: Herrero-Navarro A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8026135 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature