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Molecular codes for cell type specification in Brn3 Retinal Ganglion Cells

ABSTRACT: Visual information is conveyed from the eye to the brain by distinct types of Retinal Ganglion Cells (RGCs). It is largely unknown how RGCs acquire their defining morphological and physiological features and connect to upstream and downstream synaptic partners. The three Brn3/Pou4f transcription factors (TFs) participate in the combinatorial code for RGC type specification but their exact molecular roles are still unclear. We use deep sequencing to define (i) transcriptomes of Brn3a and/or Brn3b positive RGCs, (ii) Brn3a and/or Brn3b dependent RGC transcripts and (iii) transcriptomes of retinorecipient areas of the brain at developmental stages relevant for axon guidance, dendrite formation and synaptogenesis. We reveal a combinatorial code of transcription factors, adhesion molecules and determinants of neuronal morphology that are differentially expressed in specific RGC populations and selectively regulated by Brn3a and/or Brn3b. This comprehensive molecular code provides a basis for understanding neuronal cell type specification in RGCs.

ORGANISM(S): Mus musculus

PROVIDER: GSE87647 | GEO | 2017/04/24

SECONDARY ACCESSION(S): PRJNA345478

REPOSITORIES: GEO

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