Genetic Regulation of Vertebrate Forebrain Development by Homeobox Genes

Ryan F Leung; Ankita M George; Enola M Roussel; Maree C Faux; Jeffrey T Wigle; David D Eisenstat

doi:10.3389/fnins.2022.843794

Genetic Regulation of Vertebrate Forebrain Development by Homeobox Genes

Front Neurosci. 2022 Apr 25:16:843794. doi: 10.3389/fnins.2022.843794. eCollection 2022.

Authors

Ryan F Leung^{1

2}, Ankita M George¹, Enola M Roussel¹, Maree C Faux^{1

2

3}, Jeffrey T Wigle^{4

5}, David D Eisenstat^{1

2

6

7}

Affiliations

¹ Murdoch Children's Research Institute, The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.
² Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.
³ Department of Surgery, Royal Melbourne Hospital, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.
⁴ Department of Biochemistry and Medical Genetics, Max Rady College of Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada.
⁵ Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, St. Boniface Hospital Albrechtsen Research Centre, Winnipeg, MB, Canada.
⁶ Department of Medical Genetics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
⁷ Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.

Abstract

Forebrain development in vertebrates is regulated by transcription factors encoded by homeobox, bHLH and forkhead gene families throughout the progressive and overlapping stages of neural induction and patterning, regional specification and generation of neurons and glia from central nervous system (CNS) progenitor cells. Moreover, cell fate decisions, differentiation and migration of these committed CNS progenitors are controlled by the gene regulatory networks that are regulated by various homeodomain-containing transcription factors, including but not limited to those of the Pax (paired), Nkx, Otx (orthodenticle), Gsx/Gsh (genetic screened), and Dlx (distal-less) homeobox gene families. This comprehensive review outlines the integral role of key homeobox transcription factors and their target genes on forebrain development, focused primarily on the telencephalon. Furthermore, links of these transcription factors to human diseases, such as neurodevelopmental disorders and brain tumors are provided.

Keywords: DNA binding domain; bHLH factor; development; forebrain; forkhead (Fkh) transcription factors; homeobox.

Publication types

Review