Figure 8.

Olig3 and the specification of neurons in the dorsal spinal cord. Schematic diagram of dorsal spinal cord neurons and of the function of Olig3 in their development. BMP, Wnt, and Shh, secreted factors that pattern the dorsal and ventral progenitor domains, are indicated at left. The class A (green) and B (red) neuronal subtypes generated in the dorsal spinal cord are indicated. The positions along the dorso-ventral axis at which these neurons arise are shown, as well as the homeodomain factor code they express in wild-type mice. In Olig3 mutant mice, class A neurons assume abnormal molecular characteristics, and express homeodomain factor combinations typical of class B neurons (as indicated by color code).