• How motor neurons develop into subtypes

    From ScienceDaily@1:317/3 to All on Thu Feb 17 21:30:44 2022
    How motor neurons develop into subtypes that activate different muscles
    Motor neurons innervate the body; a study describes how a gene called
    Kdm6b helps these cells diversify into crucial subtypes

    Date:
    February 17, 2022
    Source:
    University at Buffalo
    Summary:
    Motor neurons play a vital role in movement, linking the central
    nervous system with different muscles in the body. A new study has
    uncovered details about the process through which motor neurons
    develop into subtypes that connect the spinal cord with different
    target muscles and help to control different body parts. The
    research concludes that a gene called Kdm6b helps control motor
    neurons' fate.



    FULL STORY ========================================================================== Motor neurons play a vital role in movement, linking the central nervous
    system with different muscles in the body.


    ==========================================================================
    As such, scientists are very interested in understanding the biological mechanisms that control how these neurons form.

    On Feb. 17 in Nature Communications, researchers report an exciting
    advance in this field. They have uncovered new details about the process through which motor neurons develop into subtypes that connect the
    spinal cord with different target muscles and help to control different
    body parts.

    Led by biologists at the University at Buffalo, the research concludes
    that a gene called Kdm6b helps control motor neurons' fate. The study,
    which was completed in mice, finds that Kdm6b:
    * Encourages motor neurons to develop into subtypes found in the
    medial
    motor column. These neurons target dorsal axial muscles.

    * Encourages motor neurons to develop into subtypes found in the
    hypaxial
    motor column. These neurons target intercostal and abdominal
    muscles.

    * Discourages motor neurons from developing into subtypes found in the
    lateral motor column. These neurons target ventral and dorsal
    limb muscles.

    * Discourages motor neurons from developing into subtypes found in the
    preganglionic motor column identities. These neurons target
    the sympathetic ganglia, which control internal organs, such as
    the heart.

    The study also reports that Kdm6b works cooperatively with a complex of proteins called Isl1-Lhx3 to influence the way motor neurons diversify.

    "During early development, humans generate nerve cells that connect
    with muscles and control muscle activity," says UB biologist Soo-Kyung
    Lee, the study's senior author. "The formation of these nerve cells at
    the right time and place is critical for humans' survival and movement controls. Our study in mice revealed how these nerve cells acquire their specialized identity. Our study could inform strategies to generate
    specialized nerve cells and treat motor system disorders and spinal
    cord injuries." Lee, PhD, is Empire Innovation Professor and Om P. Bahl Endowed Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences in the UB
    College of Arts and Sciences.

    Jae W. Lee, PhD, UB professor of biological sciences, is also a co-author
    of the new paper in Nature Communications, and the study's first authors
    are two former Lee lab postdoctoral researchers: Wenxian Wang, PhD,
    who worked with the Lees at UB, and Hyeyoung Cho, PhD, who worked with
    the Lees at Oregon Health and Science University.

    "One of the most fundamental questions, but a poorly understood topic
    in neuroscience, is how a single neuronal population diversifies into
    subtypes with distinct synaptic targets," says Jae W. Lee. "Our paper
    provides a crucial insight into this important topic, making a major contribution to understanding how motor neurons further develop to
    different columnar clusters." The study was funded by the U.S. National Institutes of Health.

    special promotion Explore the latest scientific research on sleep and
    dreams in this free online course from New Scientist -- Sign_up_now_>>> ========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by University_at_Buffalo. Original
    written by Charlotte Hsu.

    Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


    ========================================================================== Journal Reference:
    1. Wenxian Wang, Hyeyoung Cho, Jae W. Lee, Soo-Kyung Lee. The histone
    demethylase Kdm6b regulates subtype diversification of mouse spinal
    motor neurons during development. Nature Communications, 2022; 13
    (1) DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-28636-7 ==========================================================================

    Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/02/220217181728.htm

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