Genetic identification of an embryonic parafacial oscillator coupling to the preBötzinger complex
Nat Neurosci. 2009-07-05; 12(8): 1028-1035
DOI: 10.1038/nn.2354
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1. Nat Neurosci. 2009 Aug;12(8):1028-35. doi: 10.1038/nn.2354. Epub 2009 Jul 5.
Genetic identification of an embryonic parafacial oscillator coupling to the
preBötzinger complex.
Thoby-Brisson M(1), Karlén M, Wu N, Charnay P, Champagnat J, Fortin G.
Author information:
(1)Institut de Neurobiologie Alfred Fessard, Centre National de la Recherche
Scientifique UPR2216, Gif sur Yvette, France.
Comment in
Nat Neurosci. 2009 Aug;12(8):961-3.
The hindbrain transcription factors Phox2b and Egr2 (also known as Krox20) are
linked to the development of the autonomic nervous system and rhombomere-related
regulation of breathing, respectively. Mutations in these proteins can lead to
abnormal breathing behavior as a result of an alteration in an unidentified
neuronal system. We characterized a bilateral embryonic parafacial (e-pF)
population of rhythmically bursting neurons at embryonic day (E) 14.5 in mice.
These cells expressed Phox2b, were derived from Egr2-expressing precursors and
their development was dependent on the integrity of the Egr2 gene. Silencing or
eliminating the e-pF oscillator, but not the putative inspiratory oscillator
(preBötzinger complex, preBötC), led to an abnormally slow rhythm, demonstrating
that the e-pF controls the respiratory rhythm. The e-pF oscillator, the only one
active at E14.5, entrained and then coupled with the preBötC, which emerged
independently at E15.5. These data establish the dual organization of the
respiratory rhythm generator at the time of its inception, when it begins to
drive fetal breathing.
DOI: 10.1038/nn.2354
PMID: 19578380 [Indexed for MEDLINE]