| First Author | Catela C | Year | 2016 |
| Journal | Cell Rep | Volume | 14 |
| Issue | 8 | Pages | 1901-15 |
| PubMed ID | 26904955 | Mgi Jnum | J:277959 |
| Mgi Id | MGI:6274216 | Doi | 10.1016/j.celrep.2016.01.067 |
| Citation | Catela C, et al. (2016) Hox Proteins Coordinate Motor Neuron Differentiation and Connectivity Programs through Ret/Gfralpha Genes. Cell Rep 14(8):1901-15 |
| abstractText | The accuracy of neural circuit assembly relies on the precise spatial and temporal control of synaptic specificity determinants during development. Hox transcription factors govern key aspects of motor neuron (MN) differentiation; however, the terminal effectors of their actions are largely unknown. We show that Hox/Hox cofactor interactions coordinate MN subtype diversification and connectivity through Ret/Gfralpha receptor genes. Hox and Meis proteins determine the levels of Ret in MNs and define the intrasegmental profiles of Gfralpha1 and Gfralpha3 expression. Loss of Ret or Gfralpha3 leads to MN specification and innervation defects similar to those observed in Hox mutants, while expression of Ret and Gfralpha1 can bypass the requirement for Hox genes during MN pool differentiation. These studies indicate that Hox proteins contribute to neuronal fate and muscle connectivity through controlling the levels and pattern of cell surface receptor expression, consequently gating the ability of MNs to respond to limb-derived instructive cues. |
