Gene regulatory mechanisms guiding bifurcation of inhibitory and excitatory neuron lineages in the anterior brainstem

• DOI: 10.7554/elife.105867.1
• Publication Date: 2025-04-10T14:30:13Z
• Authors: Sami Kilpinen; Lassi Virtanen; Silvana Bodington...; Amos Bonsdorff; Heidi Heliölä; Kaia Achim; Juha Partanen

Selector transcription factors control choices of alternative cellular fates during development. The ventral rhombomere 1 the embryonic brainstem produces neuronal precursors that can differentiate into either inhibitory GABAergic or excitatory glutamatergic neurons important for behaviour. Transcription (TFs) Tal1 , Gata2 and Gata3 are required adopting identity inhibiting identity. Here, we asked how these selector TFs activated they developing neurons. We addressed questions by analysing chromatin accessibility at putative gene regulatory elements active neuron lineage bifurcation, combined with studies factor expression DNA-binding. Our results show genes highly similar mechanisms, connections to regional patterning, neurogenic cell cycle exit general course differentiation. After activation, linked auto- cross-regulation as well interactions branch. Predicted targets include expressed in neurons, both. Unlike specific branch, appear be under combinatorial . Understanding affecting anterior differentiation may give genetic mechanistic insights neurodevelopmental traits disorders.