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Abstract
During embryogenesis, the rhombic lip of the fourth ventricle is the germinal origin
of a diverse collection of neuronal populations that ultimately reside in the brainstem
and cerebellum. Rhombic lip neurogenesis requires the bHLH transcription factor Atoh1
(Math1), and commences shortly after neural tube closure (E9.5). Within the rhombomere
1-isthmus region, the rhombic lip first produces brainstem and deep cerebellar neurons
(E9.5-E12), followed by granule cell precursors after E12. While Atoh1 function is
essential for all of these populations to be specified, the downstream genetic programs
that confer specific properties to early and late born Atoh1 lineages are not well
characterized. We have performed a comparative microarray analysis of gene expression
within early and later born cohorts of Atoh1 expressing neural precursors purified
from E14.5 embryos using a transgenic labeling strategy. We identify novel transcription
factors, cell surface molecules, and cell cycle regulators within each pool of Atoh1
lineages that likely contribute to their distinct developmental trajectories and cell
fates. In particular, our analysis reveals new insights into the genetic programs
that regulate the specification and proliferation of granule cell precursors, the
putative cell of origin for the majority of medulloblastomas.
Published by Elsevier B.V.