Navigation Links
Scientists crack code for motor neuron wiring

Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) researchers have deciphered a key part of the regulatory code that governs how motor neurons in the spinal cord connect to specific target muscles in the limbs.

The researchers said that understanding this code may help guide progress in restoring motor neuron function in people whose spinal cords have been damaged by trauma or disease. The studies suggest that the code -- which involves members of the family of transcription factors encoded by the Hox genes -- could also govern the establishment of other spinal cord circuits. This circuitry includes interneurons that control motor neuron firing patterns and sensory neurons that transmit feedback information on muscle action.

The research team, which was led by HHMI investigator Thomas M. Jessell, published its findings in the November 4, 2005, issue of the journal Cell. Jessell collaborated on the studies with HHMI research associate Jeremy S. Dasen, Bonnie C. Tice and Susan Brenner-Morton, all of whom are at Columbia University. The work was also funded by grants from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke and Project ALS.

According to Jessell, members of the Hox gene family had been known to regulate aspects of brain development, but "few people had paid attention to the fact that these genes are also expressed in the spinal cord." Earlier work performed by Dasen and Jessell, in collaboration with Jeh-Ping Liu, who is now at the University of Virginia, established that certain Hox proteins control the differentiation of motor neurons into columns in the spinal cord. These columns, which are arrayed along the anterior-posterior length of the spinal cord, form in the initial phases of motor neuron organization. That organization determines whether motor neurons grow to the limbs or to other targets.

Creation of antibodies that react with each of the 21 Hox proteins expressed by spinal cord motor neurons was an important tech
'"/>

Source:Howard Hughes Medical Institute


Page: 1 2 3 4

Related biology news :

1. Scientists ID molecular switch in liver that triggers harmful effects of saturated and trans fats
2. Scientists Replicate Hepatitis C Virus in Laboratory
3. Scientists detect probable genetic cause of some Parkinsons disease cases
4. Scientists find missing enzyme for tuberculosis iron scavenging pathway
5. Scientists seek answers on what activates deadly anthrax spores
6. Yale Scientists Find MicroRNA Regulates Ras Cancer Gene
7. Scientists collaborate to assess health of global environment
8. Scientists decipher genome of fungus that can cause life-threatening infections
9. Scientists discover the cellular roots of graying hair
10. Scientists rid stem cell culture of key animal cells
11. Scientists develop new color-coded test for protein folding
Post Your Comments:
(Date:12/3/2009)The 30-year record low in Antarctic snowmelt that occurred during the 2008-09 austral summer was likely due to concurrent strong positive phases for two main climate drivers, ENSO (El Nio - Southern O
(Date:12/2/2009)PHILADELPHIA Cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption before head and neck cancer diagnosis strongly predicts the patient,s future risk of death, according to published studies. Now, results of a ne
(Date:12/2/2009)PHILADELPHIA Assurance of a cancer-free status did not prompt people participating in a long-term computerized tomography (CT) lung-cancer screening program to pick up their cigarettes again, researc
Breaking Biology News(10 mins):CCNY professor foresees rising Antarctic snowmelt 2Head and neck cancer survivors who use alcohol and cigarettes have increased death risk 2Repeat negative CT scan for lung cancer does not encourage ex-smokers to resume the habit 2Breathing technique can reduce frequency severity of asthma attacks 9990 1Breathing technique can reduce frequency severity of asthma attacks 9990 2Genetic sex determination let ancient species adapt to ocean life 9989 1Genetic sex determination let ancient species adapt to ocean life 9989 2Secretary Shinseki Kicks Off National Sports Clinic 57716 1Secretary Shinseki Kicks Off National Sports Clinic 57716 2
...he German EUREKA Chairmanship 2009/2010! The confe...eral Ministry of Education and Research, will be h...ional Congress Center in Dresden, situated in the ... sights of Dresden., The conference will address ...s for Europe,s global competitiveness and the pote...
...developed countries in the wake of the obesity epi...with the condition. Foot problems are the most com...who are at risk of serious complications such as n...their feet. Both conditions can lead to slow-heali...ted and become gangrenous, can lead to amputation....
...College of Neuropsychopharmacology (ECNP) will be...y. , More than 6,500 clinical and basic scientis...sts and neuroscience researchers from all over the... largest annual high scientific standard congress ... Europe. Renowned experts from 25 countries will p...
Other Biology News:Protective footwear for diabetics at a high-street price 2Protective footwear for diabetics at a high-street price 3
(Date:12/3/2009)PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 3 Shire plc (LSE: SHP, Nasdaq: SHPGY ), the global specialty biopharmaceutical company, today announced a voluntary recall of five lots and voluntary market withdrawal of one lot
(Date:12/3/2009)WALTHAM, Mass., Dec. 3 Inverness Medical Innovations, Inc. (NYSE: IMA ), a global leader in enabling individuals to take charge of their health at home through the merger of rapid diagnostics and h
(Date:12/3/2009)NEW DELHI, India, Dec. 3 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- Dr. Susan Jiang, M.D., Ph.D.,Chief Science Officer at Shenzhen Beike Biotechnology Co. Ltd.,( http://www.beikebiotech.com ), spoke at a conference on Hig
(Date:12/2/2009)MANILA, Philippines, Dec. 2 Spectrum Blue Steel is emerging as one of the fastest growing green energy companies on the planet. Through the efforts of True Green Energy Group and True Green Planet,s
Breaking Biology Technology:Non-safety-related voluntary recall of a limited portion of Daytrana(R) (methylphenidate transdermal system) patches announced 2Non-safety-related voluntary recall of a limited portion of Daytrana(R) (methylphenidate transdermal system) patches announced 3Non-safety-related voluntary recall of a limited portion of Daytrana(R) (methylphenidate transdermal system) patches announced 4Non-safety-related voluntary recall of a limited portion of Daytrana(R) (methylphenidate transdermal system) patches announced 5Beike Biotechnology CSO Speaks on Role of Stem Cells in Treating Diabetic Foot Disease at IPA Diabetic Foot Care Conference, India 2Beike Biotechnology CSO Speaks on Role of Stem Cells in Treating Diabetic Foot Disease at IPA Diabetic Foot Care Conference, India 3Spectrum Blue Steel partners with Famous Chemists for Procuring Profitable Applications from Garbage Using the Biosphere MKV and Electrostatic Precipitators 2Spectrum Blue Steel partners with Famous Chemists for Procuring Profitable Applications from Garbage Using the Biosphere MKV and Electrostatic Precipitators 3
... HEIGHTS, N.J., June 5 Genta,Incorporated (OTC Bul...y,has entered into definitive agreements with inst... Secured Convertible Notes due 2010 totaling in,ag... fees and expenses. The,closing of the first $20 m...out June 6, 2008, subject to the satisfaction of c...
...R, Mich., June 5 Compendia Bioscience today,annou...ment with,GlaxoSmithKline (NYSE: GSK ) for Oncomi...xtension Compendia,s flagship product, Oncomine.,O...s of Oncomine,Professional and Concepts editions b...tary gene expression data in comparison with exist...
...N FRANCISCO, Calif., June 5 Exelixis,Inc. (Nasdaq...ered into an,agreement with Deerfield Management, ...ignificant Exelixis stockholder, to provide Exelix...a flexible credit facility. The,funds can be drawn...iscretion. Exelixis is under no obligation to draw...
Other Biology Technology:Genta Secures Up to $40 Million Convertible Financing Facility to Fund Key Programs 2Genta Secures Up to $40 Million Convertible Financing Facility to Fund Key Programs 3Genta Secures Up to $40 Million Convertible Financing Facility to Fund Key Programs 4GlaxoSmithKline Signs Licensing Agreement With Compendia Bioscience 2Exelixis Receives $150 Million Funding Commitment From Deerfield Management 2Exelixis Receives $150 Million Funding Commitment From Deerfield Management 3Exelixis Receives $150 Million Funding Commitment From Deerfield Management 4Exelixis Receives $150 Million Funding Commitment From Deerfield Management 5
BBMVEC (B840-05) from European Collection of Cell Cultures (ECACC)
Finnpipette Focus Multichannel 8 channel 5-50l from Thermo Scientific
...cal Form: buffered aqueous solution. Cleaves a-...lactose from complex carbohydrates and glycoprotei...nked galactose under conditions where the pH must ... Unit Definition: One unit will hydrolyze 1 mo...
...antibody is specific for human cardiac troponin su...the Ca-binding signals responsible for contraction...e troponin complex in human cells. It also cross-r...SA). Antigen: Highly purified human cardiac tr...
Biology Products: