Paraxial mesoderm specifies zebrafish primary motoneuron subtype identity

• DOI: 10.1242/dev.00981
• Publication Date: 2004-02-02T21:58:12Z
• Authors: Katharine E. Lewis; Judith S. Eisen
• Keywords: Paraxial mesoderm; Lateral plate mesoderm; Intermediate mesoderm; Notochord; PAX3

We provide the first analysis of how a segmentally reiterated pattern neurons is specified along anteroposterior axis vertebrate spinal cord by investigating zebrafish primary motoneurons are patterned. Two identified motoneuron subtypes, MiP and CaP, occupy distinct locations within ventral neural tube relative to overlying somites, express different genes innervate muscle territories. In all vertebrates examined so far, paraxial mesoderm-derived signals specify subpopulations in specific regions cord. show that from mesoderm also control much finer-grained segmental patterning motoneurons. specification several mutants have effects on development. Our findings suggest absence mesoderm, hybrid identity with respect gene expression, under these conditions CaP axon trajectory may be dominant.