Work

Dlx1&2 directly promote expression of Cxcl14 to control synapse development and interneuron survival

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Dlx genes have fundamental roles in the generation, differentiation, and functions of virtually all forebrain GABAergic neurons. Here we used scRNA-Seq to identify genes that are dysregulated in Dlx1/2 conditional mutants in mouse immature CGE- and MGE-derived cortical and olfactory bulb GABAergic interneurons. Dlx1/2 -regulated genes included Cxcl14 and Nr2f2 that are important for cortical interneuron (CIN) survival. We also identified DLX2-bound putative regulatory elements (pREs) of these Dlx -regulated genes. Within the Dlx -expressing lineage, some DLX-bound pREs were specific to CINs, others appeared to be constitutively bound; the latter class having activity in mature CINs. One such pRE and its associated gene, Cxcl14 , is strongly activated by Dlx1/2 and is essential for synaptogenesis onto CINs.

Source: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2616055123