Characterization of Foxp2 Expressing Spinal V1 Interneurons Open Access

Abstract

The large diversity of spinal interneurons contributes to the wide range of complex motor behaviors exhibited by mammals. These interneurons are critical in modulating motor activity, but little is known about the processes by which these cells differentiate. Of particular interest in this study is the population of V1-derived interneurons (V1-INs), which gives rise to various subtypes of inhibitory interneurons modulating motor output. Although each group of V1-INs has unique cellular characteristics and participates in functionally distinct circuits, they have in common their derivation from the same progenitor pool and expression of the transcription factor engrailed-1. The largest subset of V1-INs also express the transcription factor Foxp2, and this allowed development of a dual conditional transgenic model to selectively label Foxp2(+) and Foxp2(-) V1 lineages using combinations of tdtomato and EGFP. The results indicate that the pattern of reporter protein expression in our model is stable from birth to adulthood. Furthermore, we conclude that the adult pattern of EGFP and tdtomato expression is established between embryonic day (E) 11.5 and E15 and appears to be dependent on the dynamics of Foxp2 expression.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Introduction ....................................................... 1

Methods ............................................................. 6

Results ............................................................. 11

Discussion ........................................................ 24

References ....................................................... 29

About this Honors Thesis

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School	Emory College
Department	Neuroscience and Behavioral Biology
Degree	BS
Submission	Honors Thesis
Language	English
Research Field	Biology, Physiology Biology, Neuroscience
Keyword	spinal cord development Foxp2 locomotor circuits V1-Interneurons
Committee Chair / Thesis Advisor	Alvarez, Francisco, Emory University
Committee Members	English, Arthur W, Emory University Hochman, Shawn, Emory University

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