Abstract
THE neurally expressed genes Brn-3.1 and Brn-3.2 (refs 1–6) are mammalian orthologues of the Caenorhabditis elegans unc-86 gene7 that constitute, with Brn-3.0 (refs 1–3,8,9), the class IV POU-domain transcription factors10. Brn-3.1 and Brn-3.2 provide a means of exploring the potentially distinct biological functions of expanded gene families in neural development. The highly related members of the Brn-3 family have similar DNA-binding preferences1,2 and overlapping expression patterns in the sensory nervous system, midbrain and hindbrain1–6,8,9, suggesting functional redundancy. Here we report that Brn-3.1 and Brn-3.2 critically modulate the terminal differentiation of distinct sensorineural cells in which they exhibit selective spatial and temporal expression patterns. Deletion of the Brn-3.2 gene causes the loss of most retinal ganglion cells, defining distinct ganglion cell populations. Mutation of Brn-3.1 results in complete deafness, owing to a failure of hair cells to appear in the inner ear, with subsequent loss of cochlear and vestibular ganglia.
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Erkman, L., McEvilly, R., Luo, L. et al. Role of transcription factors a Brn-3.1 and Brn-3.2 in auditory and visual system development. Nature 381, 603–606 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1038/381603a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/381603a0
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