Neurod6 expression defines new retinal amacrine cell subtypes and regulates their fate.
Published online
Journal Article
Most regions of the CNS contain many subtypes of inhibitory interneurons with specialized roles in circuit function. In the mammalian retina, the ∼30 subtypes of inhibitory interneurons called amacrine cells (ACs) are generally divided into two groups: wide/medium-field GABAergic ACs and narrow-field glycinergic ACs, which mediate lateral and vertical interactions, respectively, within the inner plexiform layer. We used expression profiling and mouse transgenic lines to identify and characterize two closely related narrow-field AC subtypes. Both arise postnatally and one is neither glycinergic nor GABAergic (nGnG). Two transcription factors selectively expressed by these subtypes, Neurod6 and special AT-rich-sequence-binding protein 2 (Satb2), regulate a postmitotic cell fate choice between these subtypes. Satb2 induces Neurod6, which persists in nGnG ACs and promotes their fate but is downregulated in the related glycinergic AC subtype. Our results support the view that cell fate decisions made in progenitors and their progeny act together to diversify ACs.
Full Text
Duke Authors
Cited Authors
- Kay, JN; Voinescu, PE; Chu, MW; Sanes, JR
Published Date
- July 10, 2011
Published In
Volume / Issue
- 14 / 8
Start / End Page
- 965 - 972
PubMed ID
- 21743471
Pubmed Central ID
- 21743471
Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)
- 1546-1726
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
- 10.1038/nn.2859
Language
- eng
Conference Location
- United States