A cross-modal genetic framework for the development and plasticity of sensory pathways

Frangeul, Laura, Pouchelon, Gabrielle, Telley, Ludovic, Lefort, Sandrine, Luscher, Christian, Jabaudon, Denis (October 2016) A cross-modal genetic framework for the development and plasticity of sensory pathways. Nature, 538 (7623). pp. 96-98. ISSN 0028-0836

URL: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27669022
DOI: 10.1038/nature19770

Abstract

Modality-specific sensory inputs from individual sense organs are processed in parallel in distinct areas of the neocortex. For each sensory modality, input follows a cortico-thalamo-cortical loop in which a 'first-order' exteroceptive thalamic nucleus sends peripheral input to the primary sensory cortex, which projects back to a 'higher order' thalamic nucleus that targets a secondary sensory cortex. This conserved circuit motif raises the possibility that shared genetic programs exist across sensory modalities. Here we report that, despite their association with distinct sensory modalities, first-order nuclei in mice are genetically homologous across somatosensory, visual, and auditory pathways, as are higher order nuclei. We further reveal peripheral input-dependent control over the transcriptional identity and connectivity of first-order nuclei by showing that input ablation leads to induction of higher-order-type transcriptional programs and rewiring of higher-order-directed descending cortical input to deprived first-order nuclei. These findings uncover an input-dependent genetic logic for the design and plasticity of sensory pathways, in which conserved developmental programs lead to conserved circuit motifs across sensory modalities.

Item Type: Paper
Subjects: bioinformatics > genomics and proteomics > genetics & nucleic acid processing > DNA, RNA structure, function, modification > transcription
bioinformatics > genomics and proteomics > genetics & nucleic acid processing > DNA, RNA structure, function, modification > genes, structure and function > gene expression
organs, tissues, organelles, cell types and functions > tissues types and functions > sensory feedback
organs, tissues, organelles, cell types and functions > tissues types and functions > somatosensory cortex
CSHL Authors:
Communities: CSHL labs > Pouchelon lab
SWORD Depositor: CSHL Elements
Depositing User: CSHL Elements
Date: 6 October 2016
Date Deposited: 22 Dec 2021 19:47
Last Modified: 22 Dec 2021 19:47
URI: https://repository.cshl.edu/id/eprint/40465

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