Project description:Next-generation sequencing facilitates quantitative analysis of the transcriptomes of FOXG1 100% dosage GABA interneurons, FOXG1 60% dosage GABA interneurons, FOXG1 30% dosage GABA interneurons, and FOXG1 0% dosage GABA interneurons derived from human embryonic stem cells. We report a genetic manipulation system that enable precise dosage control of FOXG1 protein in human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs). Using this system, we explored how the various reduced dosage affect human ventrol GABA interneuron development. We employed RNA seq on hPSC-derived GABA interneurons (day 60) to invest the expression pattern under different FOXG1 dosage conditions. RNA-Seq on GABA interneurons (Day 60) indicates that compared to the FOXG1 100% group, variable insufficiency of FOXG1 produces more than 1000 differently expressed genes (DEGs), and more DEGs in the group with less FOXG1 dosage. Heat map on Pearson Correlation indicates that groups with more discriminated FOXG1 exhibit much weaker correlation. Venn diagram reveals that each group has a set of distinct DEGs, suggesting that each FOXG1 protein dosage could results in different expression pattern during differentiation. The DEGs can be divided into two clusters, with one showing dosage-dependent regulation by FOXG1 and the other one typical binary. Key regulatory genes for GABA interneuron induction (NKX2-1, NKX6-2, GAD1, etc.) and for functional GABAergic-specific synapse formation (GABBR1, GABRA1, GABRB1, GABRG1, GABRQ, SHANK1, etc.) are down regulated along with reduction of FOXG1 protein.
Project description:The forkhead box transcription factor FoxG1 is known to influence forebrain development by determining regional brain specification as well as by regulating expansion of neuronal progenitors and timing of their differentiation. In the adult brain, FoxG1 is expressed in cortex and hippocampus. In the latter it is involved in postnatal neurogenesis in the dentate gyrus by influencing maintenance of the progenitor pool as well as survival and maturation of postmitotic neurons. In humans, haploinsufficiency of FoxG1 causes the congenital version of the Rett syndrome, a progressive neurologic developmental disorder. We use FoxG1 mutant mice to screen for global changes in mRNA expression after partial loss of FoxG1 protein in hippocampi of six week-old mice. Data analysis points to a specific function for FoxG1 in adult hippocampus besides its known involvement in dentate gyrus neurogenesis. We analyse transcriptional changes in the different CA-fields and show that especially the CA-1 field is influenced by lack of FOXG1 protein. Furthermore, data analysis shows altered expression of genes that have also been implicated in the classical form of the Rett syndrome and other autism spectrum disorders.
Project description:The medial pallium (MP) is the major forebrain region underlying learning and memory, spatial navigation, and emotion; however, the mechanisms underlying the specification of its principal neuron subtypes remain largely unexplored. Here, by postmitotic deletion of FOXG1 (a transcription factor linked to autism and FOXG1 syndrome) and single-cell RNA sequencing, we found that FOXG1 controls the specification of upper-layer retrosplenial cortical pyramidal neurons (RSC-PyNs (UL)), subiculum PyNs (SubC-PyNs), CA1-PyNs, CA3-PyNs and dentate gyrus granule cells (DG-GCs) in the mouse MP. We uncovered subtype-specific and subtype-shared FOXG1-regulated transcriptomic networks orchestrating MP neuron specification.
Project description:Recent studies have revealed an essential role for embryonic cortical development in the pathophysiology of neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, the genetic basis and underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we generate mutant human embryonic stem cell lines (Mut hESCs) carrying an NR2F1-R112K mutation that has been identified in a patient with ASD features, and investigate their neurodevelopmental alterations. Mut hESCs overproduce ventral telencephalic neuron progenitors (ventral NPCs) and inhibitory neurons, and underproduce dorsal NPCs and excitatory neurons. These alterations can be mainly attributed to the aberrantly activated Hedgehog signaling pathway. Moreover, the corresponding Nr2f1 point mutant mice display a similar excitatory/inhibitory neuron imbalance and abnormal behaviors. Antagonizing the increased inhibitory synaptic transmission partially alleviates their behavioral deficits. Together, our results suggest that the NR2F1-dependent imbalance of excitatory/inhibitory neuron differentiation caused by the activated Hedgehog pathway is one precursor of neurodevelopmental disorders and may enlighten the therapeutic approaches.
Project description:Recent studies have revealed an essential role for embryonic cortical development in the pathophysiology of neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, the genetic basis and underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we generate mutant human embryonic stem cell lines (Mut hESCs) carrying an NR2F1-R112K mutation that has been identified in a patient with ASD features, and investigate their neurodevelopmental alterations. Mut hESCs overproduce ventral telencephalic neuron progenitors (ventral NPCs) and inhibitory neurons, and underproduce dorsal NPCs and excitatory neurons. These alterations can be mainly attributed to the aberrantly activated Hedgehog signaling pathway. Moreover, the corresponding Nr2f1 point mutant mice display a similar excitatory/inhibitory neuron imbalance and abnormal behaviors. Antagonizing the increased inhibitory synaptic transmission partially alleviates their behavioral deficits. Together, our results suggest that the NR2F1-dependent imbalance of excitatory/inhibitory neuron differentiation caused by the activated Hedgehog pathway is one precursor of neurodevelopmental disorders and may enlighten the therapeutic approaches.
