Journal
ELIFE
Volume 6, Issue -, Pages -Publisher
ELIFE SCIENCES PUBLICATIONS LTD
DOI: 10.7554/elife.30647
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Funding
- National Institutes of Health [R01: NS085097]
- California Institute for Regenerative Medicine [RB5-07320]
- UCLA Broad Stem Cell Research Center Research Grant
- National Institutes of Health T32 training fellowship [HD060549]
- California Institute for Regenerative Medicine Bridges to Research fellowship [TB1-01183]
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The Bone Morphogenetic Protein (BMP) family reiteratively signals to direct disparate cellular fates throughout embryogenesis. In the developing dorsal spinal cord, multiple BMPs are required to specify sensory interneurons (INs). Previous studies suggested that the BMPs act as concentration -dependent morphogens to direct IN identity, analogous to the manner in which sonic hedgehog patterns the ventral spinal cord. However, it remains unresolved how multiple BMPs would cooperate to establish a unified morphogen gradient. Our studies support an alternative model: BMPs have signal-specific activities directing particular IN fates. Using chicken and mouse models, we show that the identity, not concentration, of the BMP ligand directs distinct dorsal identities. Individual BMPs promote progenitor patterning or neuronal differentiation by their activation of different type I BMP receptors and distinct modulations of the cell cycle. Together, this study shows that a 'mix and match' code of BMP signaling results in distinct classes of sensory INs.
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