Article abstract
Nature Neuroscience 12, 141 - 149 (2009)
Published online: 11 January 2009 | doi:10.1038/nn.2241
Identification of distinct telencephalic progenitor pools for neuronal diversity in the amygdala
Tsutomu Hirata1, Peijun Li2, Guillermo M Lanuza3, Laura A Cocas1,4, Molly M Huntsman2 & Joshua G Corbin1
Abstract
The development of the amygdala, a central structure of the limbic system, remains poorly understood. We found that two spatially distinct and early-specified telencephalic progenitor pools marked by the homeodomain transcription factor Dbx1 are major sources of neuronal cell diversity in the mature mouse amygdala. We found that Dbx1-positive cells of the ventral pallium generate the excitatory neurons of the basolateral complex and cortical amygdala nuclei. Moreover, Dbx1-derived cells comprise a previously unknown migratory stream that emanates from the preoptic area (POA), a ventral telencephalic domain adjacent to the diencephalic border. The Dbx1-positive, POA-derived population migrated specifically to the amygdala and, as defined by both immunochemical and electrophysiological criteria, generated a unique subclass of inhibitory neurons in the medial amygdala nucleus. Thus, this POA-derived population represents a previously unknown progenitor pool dedicated to the limbic system.
- Center for Neuroscience Research, Children's National Medical Center, 111 Michigan Avenue, NW, Suite 645, Washington, DC 20010, USA.
- Department of Pharmacology, Georgetown University School of Medicine, 3900 Reservoir Rd., NW, Washington, DC 20057, USA.
- Fundación Instituto Leloir, Av. Patricias Argentinas 435, Buenos Aires 1405, Argentina.
- Interdisciplinary Program in Neuroscience, Georgetown University School of Medicine, 3900 Reservoir Rd., NW, Washington, DC 20057, USA.
Correspondence to: Joshua G Corbin1 e-mail: jcorbin@cnmcresearch.org
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