EMX1
EMX1
Main page
1366416

EMX1

logo
Community Hub0 subscribers
What are your thoughts?
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
EMX1

Homeobox protein EMX1 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the EMX1 gene. The transcribed EMX1 gene is a member of the EMX family of transcription factors. The EMX1 gene, along with its family members, are expressed in the developing cerebrum (also known as the telencephalon). EMX1 plays a role in specification of positional identity, the proliferation of neural stem cells, differentiation of layer-specific neuronal phenotypes and commitment to a neuronal or glial cell fate.

The precise function of the Emx1 transcription factor is not known, however its ubiquitous nature throughout corticogenesis suggests it may confer cellular identity to cortical neurons.

Emx -/- (mice that have had Emx1 gene knocked out) are still viable and display only slight defects. These defects are restricted to the forebrain. Histologically and molecularly, the structures of the cerebral cortex appear to be normal. The hippocampus in Emx1 -/- mice, however, is typically smaller. The major deficit in Emx1-/- mice is that they completely lack the corpus callosum.

Most of Emx1 transcript is detected in cell nuclei of the developing telencephalon, including the prospective cerebral cortex, olfactory bulbs and hippocampus. Emx1 is present in practically all cortical neurons during proliferation, migration, differentiation and maturation. However, the amount of Emx 1 varies. Emx1 first appears at E9.5 in its respective mRNA, until E11.5. After this, the Emx1 signal becomes particularly potent in the ventricular zone (VZ) until E17.5. At birth and shortly thereafter, Emx1 levels in layers V and VI as well as in the SP increase.

Emx1 and Emx2 each play a critical role in regulating dorsal telencephalic development and are amongst the earliest expressed pallial-specific genes.

During embryonic development, the telencephalon is the birthplace of a diverse collection of neuronal and glial cells. These cells undergo varying patterns of cell migration in order to reach their final positions in what will become the mature cerebral cortex and basal ganglia. The embryonic telencephalon is subdivided into dorsal pallium and ventral subpallium. These two pallia become the mammalian cerebral cortex and basal ganglia, respectively.

The dorsal telencephalon is then further divided into:

Each of the aforementioned pallial domains will give rise to a distinct neuroanatomical region of the developed human brain.

See all
User Avatar
No comments yet.