First published online November 3, 2003
Development 130, e2403 (2003)
Copyright © 2003 The Company of Biologists Limited
Ebf genes find their place in neurogenesis
Neurogenesis requires the coordination of numerous events, including the
commitment of cells to specific fates, cell-cycle exit, migration and
differentiation. In the mouse and frog, helix-loop-helix transcription factors
of the Ebf family have been implicated in neurogenesis but their precise roles
are unknown. On p. 6013,
Garcia-Dominguez et al. describe a functional analysis of the chick orthologs
of mouse Ebf1 and Ebf3. Electroporation of a dominant-negative form of Ebf1
into the chick neural tube shows that Ebf is required for neuronal
differentiation and migration, but not for cell-cycle exit, indicating that
Ebf genes couple cell-cycle exit with neuronal differentiation and migration.
Additional experiments indicate that Ebf genes are also involved in the
stabilisation of the committed state, and in neuronal subtype specification.
The researchers conclude that Ebf genes lie downstream of proneural gene
expression and cell-cycle exit, but upstream of neuronal differentiation and
migration in central nervous system neurogenesis in higher vertebrates.
Related articles in Development:
- Ebf gene function is required for coupling neuronal differentiation and cell cycle exit
- Mario Garcia-Dominguez, Christophe Poquet, Sonia Garel, and Patrick Charnay
Development 2003 130: 6013-6025.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
