Dlx1&2-Dependent Expression of Zfhx1b (Sip1, Zeb2) Regulates the Fate Switch between Cortical and Striatal Interneurons

Gabriel L. McKinsey, Susan Lindtner, Brett Trzcinski, Axel Visel, Len A. Pennacchio, Danny Huylebroeck, Yujiro Higashi, John L.R. Rubenstein*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

125 Scopus citations

Abstract

Mammalian pallial (cortical and hippocampal) and striatal interneurons are both generated in the embryonic subpallium, including the medial ganglionic eminence (MGE). Herein we demonstrate that the Zfhx1b (Sip1, Zeb2) zinc finger homeobox gene is required in the MGE, directly downstream of Dlx1&2, to generate cortical interneurons that express Cxcr7, MafB, and cMaf. In its absence, Nkx2-1 expression is not repressed, and cells that ordinarily would become cortical interneurons appear to transform toward a subtype of GABAergic striatal interneurons. These results show that Zfhx1b is required to generate cortical interneurons, and suggest a mechanism for the epilepsy observed in humans with Zfhx1b mutations (Mowat-Wilson syndrome).

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)83-98
Number of pages16
JournalNeuron
Volume77
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 9 2013
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Neuroscience(all)

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