First Author | van Doorninck JH | Year | 1999 |
Journal | J Neurosci | Volume | 19 |
Issue | 12 | Pages | RC12 |
PubMed ID | 10366650 | Mgi Jnum | J:77126 |
Mgi Id | MGI:2181084 | Doi | 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.19-12-j0002.1999 |
Citation | van Doorninck JH, et al. (1999) GATA-3 is involved in the development of serotonergic neurons in the caudal raphe nuclei. J Neurosci 19(12):RC12 |
abstractText | The GATA-3 transcription factor shows a specific and restricted expression pattern in the developing and adult mouse brain. In the present study we investigated the role of GATA-3 in the caudal raphe system, which is known to operate as a modulator of motor activity. We demonstrate that virtually all neurons in the caudal raphe nuclei that express GATA-3 also produce serotonin. Absence of GATA-3, as analyzed in chimeric -/- mice, affects the cytoarchitecture of serotonergic neurons in the caudal raphe nuclei. As a result the chimeras show a serious defect in their locomotor performance on a rotating rod. In sum, we conclude that GATA-3 plays a major role in the development of the serotonergic neurons of the caudal raphe nuclei, and that it is crucial for their role in locomotion. |