Evidence for chronological diversification of spinal neuron subtypes by a shared sequence of transcription factors

Segarra LC, Sangster K, Sagner J, Kania A, Sagner A (2026)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2026

Journal

Science Advances American Association for the Advancement of Science

Book Volume: 12

Pages Range: eadz3075-

Journal Issue: 12

DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adz3075

Abstract

Uncovering the mechanisms that generate the immense diversity of neuronal cell types remains a fundamental goal of developmental biology. Different "cardinal classes" of spinal neurons that share a common molecular identity are produced from spatially segregated progenitor domains. Within many classes, a stereotyped sequence of neuronal subtypes of related function is generated over time, raising the question of the mechanisms that control this process. Here, we show that the successive expression of mouse transcription factors Onecut2, Pou2f2, and Pou3f1 correlates with the emergence of sequentially generated subpopulations within several cardinal classes. We demonstrate that loss of Pou2f2 impairs the development of two early-born motor neuron columns and respecifies anterolateral system projection neurons into a later-born subset. Similarly, we show that Pou3f1 expression is required for the normal development of later-born subsets of motor neurons and anterolateral system projection neurons. Together, our observations provide functional evidence that horologic diversification of spinal circuits is driven by a conserved sequence of transcription factors.

Authors with CRIS profile

Julia Sagner Lehrstuhl für Biochemie und Pathobiochemie Andreas Sagner Lehrstuhl für Biochemie und Pathobiochemie

Involved external institutions

Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal (IRCM) CA Canada (CA)

How to cite

APA:

Segarra, L.C., Sangster, K., Sagner, J., Kania, A., & Sagner, A. (2026). Evidence for chronological diversification of spinal neuron subtypes by a shared sequence of transcription factors. Science Advances, 12(12), eadz3075-. https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.adz3075

MLA:

Segarra, Laia Caudet, et al. "Evidence for chronological diversification of spinal neuron subtypes by a shared sequence of transcription factors." Science Advances 12.12 (2026): eadz3075-.

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