Single-Nucleus RNA Sequencing of Developing and Mature Superior Colliculus Identifies Neuronal Diversity and Candidate Mediators of Circuit Assembly

ABSTRACT: The superior colliculus (SC) is a sensorimotor structure in the midbrain that integrates inputs from multiple sensory modalities to initiate motor commands. It undergoes well-characterized steps of circuit assembly during development, rendering the mouse SC a popular model to study establishment and refinement of neural connectivity. Here we performed single nucleus RNA-sequencing analysis of the mouse SC isolated at various developmental time points. Our study provides a transcriptomic landscape of the cell-types that comprise the SC across murine development with particular emphasis on neuronal heterogeneity. We used these data to identify Pax7 as a marker for an anatomically homogeneous population of GABAergic neurons. Lastly, we report a repertoire of genes differentially expressed across the different postnatal ages, many of which are known for regulating axon guidance and synapse formation. Our data provide a valuable resource for interrogating the mechanisms of circuit development, and identifying markers for manipulating specific neuronal populations and circuits in the SC.

ORGANISM(S): Mus musculus

PROVIDER: GSE224407 | GEO | 2023/04/12

REPOSITORIES: GEO