Cortical interneurons as a population are recognized to be remarkably diverse in terms of their morphology, connectivity and physiological properties. In recent years numerous investigators have focused on understanding how this diversity is generated. In the previous funding cycle of this grant we were able to demonstrate that the place and time of origin of different cortical interneuron populations predicts their mature properties (Butt et al., 2005). In particular we found that the medial and caudal ganglionic eminences (MGE and CGE, respectively), while together accounting for the vast majority of cortical interneurons, produce entirely non-overlapping cohorts. In an effort to understand the developmental genetic mechanisms by which different cortical interneuron populations arise from these structures, we undertook a conditional loss of function analysis of the homeobox-containing gene Nkx2-1, which at present is the only gene that precisely distinguishes between the MGE and CGE (Butt et al., 2008). This study revealed that Nkx2-1 acts as a molecular toggle switch that promotes the generation of MGE-derived cortical interneuron populations and represses the CGE-derived interneuron cell identities. In this grant we will explore the genes that are both positively and negatively regulated by Nkx2-1 gene function. First we will undertake a structure function analysis of Nkx2-1 to examine its ability to act as a transcriptional activator and repressor. We will follow this by exploring the contribution of genes that are activated by Nkx2-1 and evaluate their contributions to the production of cortical interneurons with specific subtype character. Finally we will use a genetic approach to explore the diversity and timing of CGE-derived interneuron generation and how CoupTF1 and CoupTF2, CGE-expressed genes with complementary expression to Nkx2-1, contribute to the generation of the interneuron subtypes derived from this structure. Together, this study will provide insights into the molecular basis by which cortical interneuron subtypes are generated. Increasingly it is being recognized that cortical interneurons through their maintenance of the excitatory/inhibitory balance in the CNS are central to the normal function of the nervous system. In addition, cortical interneurons have been implicated in neurological disorders including epilepsy, bipolar disorders and autism. Our proposal by exploring the genetic mechanisms by which these cell types are generated has the potential to ultimately provide tools for targeting and manipulating this critical population.

Public Health Relevance

In this proposal, we use developmental genetic approaches to explore the programs that lead to the generation of specific cortical interneuron subtypes. We expect that through deciphering the genetic logic by which these cells are formed, we will be able to develop methods for cortical interneuron replacement strategies and for biochemical investigations leading to drug discovery. Moreover, through the genetic profiling of these cells we expect to be able to directly link the function of these cells to specific genetically inherited disorders in human patients.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01MH071679-08
Application #
8248283
Study Section
Neurogenesis and Cell Fate Study Section (NCF)
Program Officer
Panchision, David M
Project Start
2004-07-01
Project End
2015-02-28
Budget Start
2012-03-01
Budget End
2013-02-28
Support Year
8
Fiscal Year
2012
Total Cost
$492,527
Indirect Cost
$201,091
Name
New York University
Department
Anatomy/Cell Biology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
121911077
City
New York
State
NY
Country
United States
Zip Code
10016
Mayer, Christian; Hafemeister, Christoph; Bandler, Rachel C et al. (2018) Developmental diversification of cortical inhibitory interneurons. Nature 555:457-462
Priya, Rashi; Paredes, Mercedes Francisca; Karayannis, Theofanis et al. (2018) Activity Regulates Cell Death within Cortical Interneurons through a Calcineurin-Dependent Mechanism. Cell Rep 22:1695-1709
Wilson, Daniel E; Smith, Gordon B; Jacob, Amanda L et al. (2017) GABAergic Neurons in Ferret Visual Cortex Participate in Functionally Specific Networks. Neuron 93:1058-1065.e4
Quattrocolo, Giulia; Fishell, Gord; Petros, Timothy J (2017) Heterotopic Transplantations Reveal Environmental Influences on Interneuron Diversity and Maturation. Cell Rep 21:721-731
Tuncdemir, Sebnem N; Wamsley, Brie; Stam, Floor J et al. (2016) Early Somatostatin Interneuron Connectivity Mediates the Maturation of Deep Layer Cortical Circuits. Neuron 89:521-35
McKenzie, Melissa; Fishell, Gord (2016) Human brains teach us a surprising lesson. Science 354:38-39
Mayer, Christian; Bandler, Rachel C; Fishell, Gord (2016) Lineage Is a Poor Predictor of Interneuron Positioning within the Forebrain. Neuron 92:45-51
Dimidschstein, Jordane; Chen, Qian; Tremblay, Robin et al. (2016) A viral strategy for targeting and manipulating interneurons across vertebrate species. Nat Neurosci 19:1743-1749
Miyoshi, Goichi; Young, Allison; Petros, Timothy et al. (2015) Prox1 Regulates the Subtype-Specific Development of Caudal Ganglionic Eminence-Derived GABAergic Cortical Interneurons. J Neurosci 35:12869-89
Mayer, Christian; Jaglin, Xavier H; Cobbs, Lucy V et al. (2015) Clonally Related Forebrain Interneurons Disperse Broadly across Both Functional Areas and Structural Boundaries. Neuron 87:989-98

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