ngn-1/neurogenin Activates Transcription of Multiple Terminal Selector Transcription Factors in the Caenorhabditis elegans Nervous System

The objective of this study was to further elucidate the role of ngn-1/neurogenin in nervous system development and to identify its downstream transcriptional targets, using the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans as a model for this work. We found that ngn-1 is required for axon outgrowth, nerve ring architecture, and neuronal cell fate specification. We also showed that ngn-1 may have roles in neuroblast migration and epithelial integrity during embryonic development. Using RNA sequencing and comparative transcriptome analysis, we identified eight transcription factors (hlh-34/NPAS1, unc-42/PROP1, ceh-17/PHOX2A, lim-4/LHX6, fax-1/NR2E3, lin-11/LHX1, tlp-1/ZNF503, and nhr-23/RORB) whose transcription is activated, either directly or indirectly, by ngn-1. Our results show that ngn-1 has a role in transcribing known terminal regulators that establish and maintain cell fate of differentiated neural subtypes and confirms that ngn-1 functions as a proneural transcription factor in C. elegans neurogenesis.

Source: G3: Genes Genomes Genetics - May 31, 2020 Category: Genetics & Stem Cells Authors: Christensen, E. L., Beasley, A., Radchuk, J., Mielko, Z. E., Preston, E., Stuckett, S., Murray, J. I., Hudson, M. L. Tags: Investigations Source Type: research