Health & Environmental Research Online (HERO)


Print Feedback Export to File
527859 
Journal Article 
Genetic identification of an embryonic parafacial oscillator coupling to the preBotzinger complex 
Thoby-Brisson, M; Karlen, M; Wu, N; Charnay, P; Champagnat, J; Fortin, G 
2009 
1 
Nature Neuroscience
ISSN: 1097-6256
EISSN: 1546-1726 
12 
8 
1028-U1100 
English 
The hindbrain transcription factors Phox2b and Egr2 (also known as Krox20) are linked to the development of the autonomic nervous system and rhombomere-related regulation of breathing, respectively. Mutations in these proteins can lead to abnormal breathing behavior as a result of an alteration in an unidentified neuronal system. We characterized a bilateral embryonic parafacial (e-pF) population of rhythmically bursting neurons at embryonic day (E) 14.5 in mice. These cells expressed Phox2b, were derived from Egr2-expressing precursors and their development was dependent on the integrity of the Egr2 gene. Silencing or eliminating the e-pF oscillator, but not the putative inspiratory oscillator (preBotzinger complex, preBotC), led to an abnormally slow rhythm, demonstrating that the e-pF controls the respiratory rhythm. The e-pF oscillator, the only one active at E14.5, entrained and then coupled with the preBotC, which emerged independently at E15.5. These data establish the dual organization of the respiratory rhythm generator at the time of its inception, when it begins to drive fetal breathing. 
congenital central hypoventilation; respiratory rhythm generation; pre-botzinger complex; fatal central apnea; neonatal-rat; developing; hindbrain; nervous-system; mouse embryo; in-vitro; neurons