Single-Cell RNA-Seq Analysis of Retinal Development Identifies NFI Factors as Regulating Mitotic Exit and Late-Born Cell Specification

Publication date: Available online 22 May 2019Source: NeuronAuthor(s): Brian S. Clark, Genevieve L. Stein-O’Brien, Fion Shiau, Gabrielle H. Cannon, Emily Davis-Marcisak, Thomas Sherman, Clayton P. Santiago, Thanh V. Hoang, Fatemeh Rajaii, Rebecca E. James-Esposito, Richard M. Gronostajski, Elana J. Fertig, Loyal A. Goff, Seth BlackshawSummaryPrecise temporal control of gene expression in neuronal progenitors is necessary for correct regulation of neurogenesis and cell fate specification. However, the cellular heterogeneity of the developing CNS has posed a major obstacle to identifying the gene regulatory networks that control these processes. To address this, we used single-cell RNA sequencing to profile ten developmental stages encompassing the full course of retinal neurogenesis. This allowed us to comprehensively characterize changes in gene expression that occur during initiation of neurogenesis, changes in developmental competence, and specification and differentiation of each major retinal cell type. We identify the NFI transcription factors (Nfia, Nfib, and Nfix) as selectively expressed in late retinal progenitor cells and show that they control bipolar interneuron and Müller glia cell fate specification and promote proliferative quiescence.

Source: Neuron - May 23, 2019 Category: Neuroscience Source Type: research