The mammalian cerebral cortex is a layered structure. I am interested in the molecules that regulate development of cortical layers. The first specific aim is to identify genes that are critical in the formation of proper axonal projection patterns for neurons within a specific cortical layer, layer 5. Layer 5 neurons initially extend axonal branches to many subcortical areas. Later the exuberant branches are selectively pruned so that a proper area-specific projection pattern is formed. The homeodomain transcription factor, Otx1, is required for the pruning of exuberant axonal branches. However nothing is known about the target genes of Otx l or about the mechanisms of axonal pruning. I propose to identify genes that act downstream of Otx1 to regulate axonal refinement using cDNA microarray technology.
The second aim i s to isolate and study genes which regulate the initial laminar fate determination or early stages of laminar differentiation. I have finished an in situ hybridization screening and identified twelve novel as well as known genes that demonstrate layer-specific expression patterns. Experiments are proposed to study their potential functions in laminar fate determination and/or early stages of layer differentiation.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Type
Postdoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F32)
Project #
5F32NS042535-03
Application #
6641141
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-MDCN-7 (01))
Program Officer
Leblanc, Gabrielle G
Project Start
2002-08-01
Project End
Budget Start
2003-08-01
Budget End
2004-07-31
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2003
Total Cost
$49,864
Indirect Cost
Name
Stanford University
Department
Biology
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
009214214
City
Stanford
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
94305
Chen, Bin; Schaevitz, Laura R; McConnell, Susan K (2005) Fezl regulates the differentiation and axon targeting of layer 5 subcortical projection neurons in cerebral cortex. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 102:17184-9