Define Interneuron Subpopulations in the Mouse Spinal Cord during Development

神经回路的精确组织确保了中枢神经系统(CNS)的正常运作。组装这些电路需要对发育过程中定义的神经元群体进行正确的规范。我研究的一个目标是了解脊髓神经元功能群形成背后的发育过程。胚胎脊髓中不同的祖细胞结构域形成运动神经元(MN)和不同的中间神经元(IN)，每一类都有独特的分子特征。不同类型的脊髓INs出现在这些前体结构域中，最近发现，其中一些经历了进一步的细分，形成了不同的种群。然而，到目前为止，人们对支配这种细分的分子机制知之甚少。

Precise organization of neural circuits ensures proper functioning of the central nervous system (CNS). Assembly of these circuits requires correct specification of neuronal populations defined during development. One goal in my research is to understand developmental processes underlying formation of functional groups of spinal neurons. Different progenitor domains in the embryonic spinal cord give rise to the motoneurons (MNs) and different interneuron (IN) classes, each with a unique molecular profile. Distinct types of spinal INs emerge from these progenitor domains, and, as recently revealed, some undergo further subdivision to form heterogeneous populations. As yet, however, little is known about molecular mechanisms that govern such subdivision.