How motor neurons develop into subtypes that activate different muscles
Motor neurons innervate the body; a study describes how a gene called
Kdm6b helps these cells diversify into crucial subtypes

Date:
February 17, 2022
Source:
University at Buffalo
Summary:
Motor neurons play a vital role in movement, linking the central
nervous system with different muscles in the body. A new study has
uncovered details about the process through which motor neurons
develop into subtypes that connect the spinal cord with different
target muscles and help to control different body parts. The
research concludes that a gene called Kdm6b helps control motor
neurons' fate.



FULL STORY ========================================================================== Motor neurons play a vital role in movement, linking the central nervous
system with different muscles in the body.


==========================================================================
As such, scientists are very interested in understanding the biological mechanisms that control how these neurons form.

On Feb. 17 in Nature Communications, researchers report an exciting
advance in this field. They have uncovered new details about the process through which motor neurons develop into subtypes that connect the
spinal cord with different target muscles and help to control different
body parts.

Led by biologists at the University at Buffalo, the research concludes
that a gene called Kdm6b helps control motor neurons' fate. The study,
which was completed in mice, finds that Kdm6b:
* Encourages motor neurons to develop into subtypes found in the
medial
motor column. These neurons target dorsal axial muscles.

* Encourages motor neurons to develop into subtypes found in the
hypaxial
motor column. These neurons target intercostal and abdominal
muscles.

* Discourages motor neurons from developing into subtypes found in the
lateral motor column. These neurons target ventral and dorsal
limb muscles.

* Discourages motor neurons from developing into subtypes found in the
preganglionic motor column identities. These neurons target
the sympathetic ganglia, which control internal organs, such as
the heart.

The study also reports that Kdm6b works cooperatively with a complex of proteins called Isl1-Lhx3 to influence the way motor neurons diversify.

"During early development, humans generate nerve cells that connect
with muscles and control muscle activity," says UB biologist Soo-Kyung
Lee, the study's senior author. "The formation of these nerve cells at
the right time and place is critical for humans' survival and movement controls. Our study in mice revealed how these nerve cells acquire their specialized identity. Our study could inform strategies to generate
specialized nerve cells and treat motor system disorders and spinal
cord injuries." Lee, PhD, is Empire Innovation Professor and Om P. Bahl Endowed Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences in the UB
College of Arts and Sciences.

Jae W. Lee, PhD, UB professor of biological sciences, is also a co-author
of the new paper in Nature Communications, and the study's first authors
are two former Lee lab postdoctoral researchers: Wenxian Wang, PhD,
who worked with the Lees at UB, and Hyeyoung Cho, PhD, who worked with
the Lees at Oregon Health and Science University.

"One of the most fundamental questions, but a poorly understood topic
in neuroscience, is how a single neuronal population diversifies into
subtypes with distinct synaptic targets," says Jae W. Lee. "Our paper
provides a crucial insight into this important topic, making a major contribution to understanding how motor neurons further develop to
different columnar clusters." The study was funded by the U.S. National Institutes of Health.

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dreams in this free online course from New Scientist -- Sign_up_now_>>> ========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by University_at_Buffalo. Original
written by Charlotte Hsu.

Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


========================================================================== Journal Reference:
1. Wenxian Wang, Hyeyoung Cho, Jae W. Lee, Soo-Kyung Lee. The histone
demethylase Kdm6b regulates subtype diversification of mouse spinal
motor neurons during development. Nature Communications, 2022; 13
(1) DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-28636-7 ==========================================================================

Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/02/220217181728.htm

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