article
Specification of excitatory neurons in the developing cerebral cortex: progenitor diversity and environmental influences
Fecha
2015-01-12Registro en:
COSTA, Marcos R.; MÜLLER, Ulrich. Specification of excitatory neurons in the developing cerebral cortex: progenitor diversity and environmental influences. Fontiers in Celular Neuroscience. v.8, jan. 2015. doi: 10.3389/fncel.2014.00449.
1662-5102
Autor
Costa, Marcos Romualdo
Ulrich Müller
Resumen
The mature cerebral cortex harbors a heterogeneous population of glutamatergic neurons,
organized into a highly intricate histological architecture. Classically, this mixed population
of neurons was thought to be generated sequentially from a seemingly homogenous
group of progenitors under the influence of external cues. This view, however, has been
challenged in the last decade by evidences pointing to the existence of fate-restricted
neuronal progenitors in the developing neocortex. Here, we review classical studies
using cell transplantation, retroviral labeling and cell culture, as well as new data from
genetic fate-mapping analysis, to discuss the lineage relationships between neocortical
progenitors and subclasses of excitatory neurons. We also propose a temporal model to
conciliate the existence of fate-restricted progenitors alongside multipotent progenitors in
the neocortex. Finally, we discuss evidences for a critical period of plasticity among post
mitotic excitatory cortical neurons when environmental influences could change neuronal
cell fate.