Hes1 and Hes5 regulate the development of the cranial and spinal nerve systems

Dev Neurosci. 2006;28(1-2):92-101. doi: 10.1159/000090756.

Abstract

The basic helix-loop-helix genes Hes1 and Hes5, known Notch effectors, regulate the maintenance of neural stem cells and the development of the central nervous system (CNS). In the absence of Hes1 and Hes5, the size, shape and cytoarchitecture of the CNS are severely disorganized, but the development of the peripheral nervous system remains to be analyzed. Here, we found that in Hes1;Hes5 double-mutant mice, the cranial and spinal nerve systems are also severely disorganized. In these mutant mice, axonal projections from the mesencephalic neurons to the trigeminal (V) ganglion become aberrant and the proximal parts of the glossopharyngeal (IX) and vagus (X) nerves are fused. The hypoglossal (XII) nerve is also formed poorly. Furthermore, the dorsal root ganglia are fused with the spinal cord, and the dorsal and ventral roots of the spinal nerves are lacking in many segments. These results indicate that Hes1 and Hes5 play an important role in the formation of the cranial and spinal nerve systems.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors / genetics*
  • Body Patterning / genetics
  • Cell Movement / genetics
  • Cranial Nerves / abnormalities*
  • Cranial Nerves / cytology
  • Ganglia, Autonomic / abnormalities
  • Ganglia, Autonomic / cytology
  • Ganglia, Sensory / abnormalities
  • Ganglia, Sensory / cytology
  • Ganglia, Spinal / abnormalities
  • Ganglia, Spinal / cytology
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / genetics*
  • Homeodomain Proteins / genetics*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Neural Crest / abnormalities
  • Neural Crest / cytology
  • Neural Pathways / abnormalities
  • Neural Pathways / cytology
  • Repressor Proteins / genetics*
  • Rhombencephalon / abnormalities
  • Rhombencephalon / cytology
  • Spinal Nerve Roots / abnormalities
  • Spinal Nerve Roots / cytology
  • Spinal Nerves / abnormalities*
  • Spinal Nerves / cytology
  • Transcription Factor HES-1

Substances

  • Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors
  • Hes1 protein, mouse
  • Hes5 protein, mouse
  • Homeodomain Proteins
  • Repressor Proteins
  • Transcription Factor HES-1