The role of a novel family of lim-homeodomain proteins in the development of the mammalian central and peripheral nervous system

Lines connect the coordinator with its partners. CORDIS does not always give exact coordinates for projects before 2014. These points are placed at city or country level.

Project objective

The enteric nervous system is the most complex part of the peripheral nervous system, composed of a large number of phenotypically diverse neurons, organised into a complex synaptic network. Despite the detailed morphological and phenotypic characterisation of the enteric neurons, very little is known abeut the molecular-genetic mechanisms underlying their differentiation and diversification. A family of genes that has been established to play a critical role in various differentiation processes is the LIM-homeodomain (Lhx) gene family. Using degenerate oligonucleotide primers and RT-PCR, I have identified two novel members of the Lhx gene family (Lhx-x and Lhx-y) which are expressed in the developing enteric nervous system and the diencephalon of mouse embryos. Here, I propose to: first, generate the necessary reagents and study in detail the pattern of expression of the Lhx-x and Lhx-y genes during mammalian embryogenesis and second, carry out ectopic expression and genetic experiments to determine the role of the Lhx-x and Lhx-y genes in the development of the enteric nervous system and the brain of the mouse.

Original text from CORDIS.

Participants

• MRC National Institute for Medical Research · LondonCoordinatorUnited Kingdom
• Not availableCity levelGreece

Links

• View on CORDIS