NeuroD is required for differentiation of the granule cells in the cerebellum and hippocampus (original) (raw)

1. Takaki Miyata,
2. Tomoko Maeda, and
3. Jacqueline E. Lee
4. Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of Colorado at Boulder, Boulder, Colorado 80309-0347 USA

Abstract

NeuroD, a bHLH transcription factor, is implicated in differentiation of neurons and pancreatic β cells. NeuroD-null mice die shortly after birth due to severe neonatal diabetes. To examine if there is postnatal neuronal phenotype in these mice, we rescued them from neonatal lethality by introducing a transgene encoding the mouse_neuroD_ gene under the insulin promoter. These mice survive to adulthood but display severe neurological phenotype due to neuronal deficit in the granule layers of the cerebellum and hippocampus. We show here that NeuroD is required for these postnatally generated microneurons to undergo proper differentiation, the absence of which results in cell death.

• NeuroD
• neuronal differentiation
• microneuron
• postnatal neurogenesis
• cerebellum
• hippocampus

Footnotes

• ↵Corresponding author.

• E-MAIL Jackie.Lee{at}colorado.edu; FAX (303) 492-7744.

• • Received February 26, 1999.
  • Accepted May 14, 1999.

• Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press

•