Abstract
Proneural basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) proteins are key regulators of neurogenesis. However, downstream target genes of the bHLH proteins remain poorly defined. Mbh1 confers commissural neuron identity in the spinal cord. Enhancer analysis using transgenic mice revealed that Mbh1 expression required an E-box 3′ of the Mbh1 gene. Mbh1 expression was lost in Math1 knockout mice, whereas misexpression of Math1 induced ectopic expression of Mbh1. Moreover, Math1 bound the Mbh1 enhancer containing the E-box in vivo and activated gene expression. Generation of commissural neurons by Math1 was inhibited by a dominant negative form of Mbh1. These findings indicate that Mbh1 is necessary and sufficient for the specification of commissural neurons, as a direct downstream target of Math1.
Original language | English (US) |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 2147-2155 |
Number of pages | 9 |
Journal | Development |
Volume | 132 |
Issue number | 9 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - May 2005 |
Keywords
- Homeobox
- Math1 (Atoh1)
- Mbh1 (Barhl2)
- Mouse
- Proneural
- Spinal cord
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Molecular Biology
- Developmental Biology