Abstract
The role and modulators of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling pathway in later cortical patterning awaits careful mechanistic investigation. Here we show that the BMP antagonist, Grem1, marks a neuroprogenitor that gives rise to layer Ⅴ and Ⅵ glutamatergic neurons in the embryonic mouse brain. Lineage tracing of Grem1-expressing cells in the fetal brain was examined by administration of tamoxifen to pregnant Grem1creERT; Rosa26LSLTdtomato mice at 13.5 days post coitum. In addition, bulk mRNA seq analysis of differentially expressed transcripts between FACS sorted Grem1 positive and negative cells was performed. We also generated Grem1 conditional knockout mice (Emx1-Cre;Grem1flox/flox) in which the Grem1 gene was deleted specifically in the dorsal telencephalon. Grem1Emx1cKO animals had reduced cortical thickness, especially layers Ⅴ/Ⅵ and impaired motor balance and fear sensitivity compared to littermate controls. This study has revealed new roles for Grem1 in the structural and functional maturation of the developing cortex.
Competing Interest Statement
The authors have declared no competing interest.