Cited by 423Developmental Biology and Gene RegulationNeurogenesis and neuroplasticity mechanismsCongenital gastrointestinal and neural anomalies

Hox Genes: Choreographers in Neural Development, Architects of Circuit Organization

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Philippidou, Polyxeni, Dasen, Jeremy S.·2013·Neuron

Abstract

The neural circuits governing vital behaviors, such as respiration and locomotion, are comprised of discrete neuronal populations residing within the brainstem and spinal cord. Work over the past decade has provided a fairly comprehensive understanding of the developmental pathways that determine the identity of major neuronal classes within the neural tube. However, the steps through which neurons acquire the subtype diversities necessary for their incorporation into a particular circuit are still poorly defined. Studies on the specification of motor neurons indicate that the large family of Hox transcription factors has a key role in generating the subtypes required for selective muscle innervation. There is also emerging evidence that Hox genes function in multiple neuronal classes to shape synaptic specificity during development, suggesting a broader role in circuit assembly. This Review highlights the functions and mechanisms of Hox gene networks and their multifaceted roles during neuronal specification and connectivity.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.neuron.2013.09.020

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  • Consistent with the well-studied roles of Hox genes in regulating anterior-posterior axis in development, Hoxb2 and Hoxb3 have broader expression than Hoxb4 and Hoxb5, and Hoxb8 has the most restricted expression pattern in posterior lateral medulla, in the order that is consistent with their locations on the chromosome.

    “Consistent with the well-studied roles of Hox genes in regulating anterior–posterior axis in development93, Hoxb2 and Hoxb3 have broader expression than Hoxb4 and Hoxb5, and Hoxb8 has the most restricted expression pattern in posterior lateral medulla, in the order that is consistent with their locations on the chromosome.”
  • There is a large diversity of cell types in the spinal cord.

    “There is a large diversity of cell types in the spinal cord. More than 50 distinct pools of MNs have been documented at limb levels of the spinal cord (Dasen et al., 2005; Landmesser, 2001; Philippidou and Dasen, 2013).”

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Authors
Philippidou, P., & Dasen, J. S.
Affiliations
Howard Hughes Medical Institute (US)
Corresponding author
  • Philippidou, Polyxeni
  • Dasen, Jeremy S.
Venue
Neuron
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2013-10
Volume
80
Issue
1
Pages
12-34
ISSN
0896-6273 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2079883339
Cited by
423
References
164
Citations by year
2026: 28 · 2025: 28 · 2024: 39 · 2023: 35 · 2022: 39 · 2021: 37 · 2020: 29 · 2019: 35 · 2018: 39 · 2017: 31 · 2016: 27 · 2015: 30 · 2014: 21 · 2013: 3
FWCI
2.54
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Neuron (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
  • Howard Hughes Medical Institute
  • National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (K99NS085037, R00NS085037, R01NS062822)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Developmental Biology and Gene Regulation
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Developmental Neuroscience › Neurogenesis and neuroplasticity mechanisms
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Surgery › Congenital gastrointestinal and neural anomalies
Keywords
Hox genes, neural development, neural circuit assembly, neuronal specification, motor neuron subtypes, muscle innervation, synaptic specificity, brainstem, spinal cord, Hox transcription factors, neuronal connectivity
MeSH terms
Animals, Genes, Homeobox, Humans, Nervous System, Neurons, Transcription Factors, Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental, Neurogenesis

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