Neuronal expression of SOX2 is enriched in specific hypothalamic cell groups

Hoefflin, Sarah and Carter, David Allan 2014. Neuronal expression of SOX2 is enriched in specific hypothalamic cell groups. Journal of Chemical Neuroanatomy 61-62 , pp. 153-160. 10.1016/j.jchemneu.2014.09.003

Preview

PDF - Accepted Post-Print Version Download (383kB) | Preview

Abstract

The transcription factor SOX2 has many established roles in neural development but is generally considered to have limited activity in the adult brain. As part of a study of neuronal phenotypes in the adult rodent hypothalamus, we have now used immunohistochemical analysis to investigate the expression of SOX2 in the adult rat and mouse hypothalamus. Our analysis has revealed that SOX2 protein is extensively expressed in cells of the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN). Co-localization with the nuclear marker proteins NeuN and MeCP2 confirmed SOX2 expression in mature neurons of the rat SCN, and the functional integrity of these SOX2+ neurons was also confirmed by demonstrating co-localization with light-induced EGR1 protein. In addition to the SCN, we have also revealed a population of SOX2+/(NeuN+/MeCP2+) neurons in the rat periventricular nucleus (PeN). However, in other hypothalamic nuclei such as the supraoptic nucleus (SON) SOX2+ cells were rare. In extra-hypothalamic areas, SOX2+ cells were also scarce although we have confirmed populations of non-neuronal SOX2+ cells in both the rat sub-ventricular zone (SVZ) and sub-granular zone (SGZ) of the hippocampus. In addition, we have identified an extensive, novel population of non-neuronal SOX2+ cells in the rat subfornical organ (SFO). Our findings provide further evidence of ‘immature’ phenotypes in rodent SCN neurons and, given the extensive expression of SOX2 across these hypothalamic neurons, may identify a common regulatory factor that maintains this unusual neuronal phenotype. Conservation of SCN SOX2 expression in both rat and mouse indicates a functional requirement for this transcription factor that may be integral to the role of these SCN neurons in mediating daily physiological rhythms.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Biosciences
Publisher:	Elsevier
ISSN:	0891-0618
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	30 March 2016
Date of Acceptance:	16 September 2014
Last Modified:	29 Nov 2024 14:30
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/68877

Citation Data

Cited 21 times in Scopus. View in Scopus. Powered By Scopus® Data

Actions (repository staff only)

Edit Item