Evidence for the differential regulation of Nkx-6.1 expression in the ventral spinal cord and foregut by Shh-dependent and -independent mechanisms
✍ Scribed by Jun Cai; Xiaohua Xu; Huliang Yin; Rachel Wu; Geoffrey Modderman; YiPing Chen; Jan Jensen; Chi-Chung Hui; Mengsheng Qiu
- Publisher
- John Wiley and Sons
- Year
- 2000
- Tongue
- English
- Weight
- 780 KB
- Volume
- 27
- Category
- Article
- ISSN
- 1526-954X
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✦ Synopsis
The Nkx-6.1 homeodomain transcription factor was previously shown to be expressed in ventral neural progenitor cells and subsequently subsets of unidentified motor neurons during early neural development. In this study, we identify a specific subpopulation of motor neurons, the median half of the lateral motor neuron column (LMCm), that retain a strong expression of Nkx-6.1. In addition, we report novel patterns of Nkx-6.1 expression in several mesenchymal tissues surrounding Sonic hedgehog (Shh)-expressing cells, including ventral spinal meninges, esophageal mesenchyme, and dorsal tracheal mesenchyme. Whereas Shh signaling is required for Nkx-6.1 expression in the ventral neural tube and spinal meninges, an Shh-independent pathway appears to operate in regulating Nkx-6.1 expression in the foregut. The persistent and robust expression of Nkx-6.1 in motor neurons and mesenchymal cells suggests an important role for Nkx-6.1 in controlling cell fate specification and differentiation. genesis 27:6 -11, 2000.