Zbtb20-induced CA1 pyramidal neuron development and area enlargement in the cerebral midline cortex of mice

Cereb Cortex. 2010 Aug;20(8):1904-14. doi: 10.1093/cercor/bhp261. Epub 2009 Dec 2.

Abstract

Expression of the transcriptional repressor Zbtb20 is confined to the hippocampal primordium of the developing dorsal midline cortex in mice. Here, we show that misexpression of Zbtb20 converts projection neurons of the subiculum and postsubiculum (dorsal presubiculum) to CA1 pyramidal neurons that are innervated by Schaffer collateral projections in ectopic strata oriens and radiatum. The Zbtb20-transformed neurons express Bcl11B, Satb2, and Calbindin-D28k, which are markers of adult CA1 pyramidal neurons. Downregulation of Zbtb20 expression by RNA interference impairs the normal maturation of CA1 pyramidal neurons resulting in deficiencies in Calbindin-D28k expression and in reduced apical dendritic arborizations in stratum lacunosum moleculare. Overall, the results show that Zbtb20 is required for various aspects of CA1 pyramidal neuron development such as the postnatal extension of apical dendritic arbors in the distal target zone and the subtype differentiation of Calbindin-D28k-positive subsets. They further suggest that Zbtb20 plays a role in arealization of the midline cortex.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biomarkers / metabolism
  • CA1 Region, Hippocampal / growth & development*
  • CA1 Region, Hippocampal / pathology
  • Calbindin 1
  • Calbindins
  • Cell Differentiation / genetics
  • Cell Shape / genetics
  • Cerebral Cortex / growth & development*
  • Cerebral Cortex / pathology
  • Dendrites / metabolism
  • Dendrites / pathology
  • Down-Regulation / genetics
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / genetics*
  • Hypertrophy
  • Mice
  • Neurogenesis / genetics*
  • Pyramidal Cells / metabolism*
  • Pyramidal Cells / pathology
  • S100 Calcium Binding Protein G / metabolism
  • Transcription Factors / deficiency
  • Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / physiology*
  • Zinc Fingers / genetics

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Calb1 protein, mouse
  • Calbindin 1
  • Calbindins
  • S100 Calcium Binding Protein G
  • Transcription Factors
  • Zbtb20 protein, mouse