Ascl1 genetics reveals insights into cerebellum local circuit assembly

J Neurosci. 2011 Jul 27;31(30):11055-69. doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.0479-11.2011.

Abstract

Two recently generated targeted mouse alleles of the neurogenic gene Ascl1 were used to characterize cerebellum circuit formation. First, genetic inducible fate mapping (GIFM) with an Ascl1(CreER) allele was found to specifically mark all glial and neuron cell types that arise from the ventricular zone (vz). Moreover, each cell type has a unique temporal profile of marking with Ascl1(CreER) GIFM. Of great utility, Purkinje cells (Pcs), an early cohort of Bergmann glia, and four classes of GABAergic interneurons can be genetically birth dated during embryogenesis using Ascl1(CreER) GIFM. Astrocytes and oligodendrocytes, in contrast, express Ascl1(CreER) throughout their proliferative phase in the white matter. Interestingly, the final position each neuron type acquires differs depending on when it expresses Ascl1. Interneurons (including candelabrum) attain a more outside position the later they express Ascl1, whereas Pcs have distinct settling patterns each day they express Ascl1. Second, using a conditional Ascl1 allele, we discovered that Ascl1 is differentially required for generation of most vz-derived cells. Mice lacking Ascl1 in the cerebellum have a major decrease in three types of interneurons with a tendency toward a loss of later-born interneurons, as well as an imbalance of oligodendrocytes and astrocytes. Double-mutant analysis indicates that a related helix-loop-helix protein, Ptf1a, functions with Ascl1 in generating interneurons and Pcs. By fate mapping vz-derived cells in Ascl1 mutants, we further discovered that Ascl1 plays a specific role during the time period when Pcs are generated in restricting vz progenitors from becoming rhombic lip progenitors.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Age Factors
  • Animals
  • Animals, Newborn
  • Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors / genetics*
  • Body Patterning* / genetics
  • Brain Mapping
  • Bromodeoxyuridine / metabolism
  • Cell Cycle
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Cerebellum / cytology*
  • Cerebellum / embryology
  • Cerebellum / growth & development
  • Cerebral Ventricles / cytology
  • Cerebral Ventricles / embryology
  • Embryo, Mammalian
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / genetics
  • Homeodomain Proteins / genetics
  • Homeodomain Proteins / metabolism
  • Luminescent Proteins / genetics
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Nerve Net / physiology*
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / genetics
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / metabolism
  • Neuroglia / classification
  • Neuroglia / metabolism
  • Neuroglia / physiology
  • Neurons / cytology
  • Neurons / physiology*
  • Proteins / genetics
  • RNA, Untranslated
  • Silver Staining / methods
  • Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism
  • gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / metabolism

Substances

  • Ascl1 protein, mouse
  • Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors
  • En1 protein, mouse
  • Gt(ROSA)26Sor non-coding RNA, mouse
  • Homeodomain Proteins
  • Luminescent Proteins
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • Proteins
  • RNA, Untranslated
  • Transcription Factors
  • transcription factor PTF1
  • gamma-Aminobutyric Acid
  • Bromodeoxyuridine