Expression of Hand2 is sufficient for neurogenesis and cell type-specific gene expression in the enteric nervous system. |
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Authors: | Tyler J Hendershot Hongbin Liu Anjali A Sarkar David R Giovannucci David E Clouthier Makoto Abe Marthe J Howard |
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Institution: | Department of Neurosciences and Program in Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology, Medical University of Ohio, Toledo, Ohio 43614, USA. |
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Abstract: | The basic helix-loop-helix DNA binding protein Hand2 is expressed in neural crest-derived precursors of enteric neurons and has been shown to affect both neurogenesis and neurotransmitter specification of noradrenergic sympathetic ganglion neurons. In the current study, our goal was to determine whether Hand2 affects neurogenesis and/or expression of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide and choline acetyltransferase in developing enteric neurons. Gain-of-function of Hand2 in HNK-1(+) immmunoselected precursor cells resulted in increased neurogenesis. The number of neurons expressing vasoactive intestinal polypeptide increased in response to Hand2 overexpression although choline acetyltransferase was not affected. Targeted deletion of Hand2 in neural crest cells resulted in loss of all neurons expressing vasoactive intestinal polypeptide along the length of the gastrointestinal tract, patterning defects in the myenteric plexus of the stomach, and altered number and morphology of neurons expressing TH. Our data demonstrate that expression of Hand2 is sufficient and necessary for neurogenesis and expression of a subset of cell type-specific markers in the developing enteric nervous system. |
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Keywords: | Hand2(dHand) neural crest bHLH neurogenesis cell type–specific gene regulation |
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