Figure 2. Determination of the mDA-specific and generic neuronal cell fate in mDA precursors at intermediate stages of mouse neural development.

A, cross-sections through the E12.5 mouse embryonic ventral midbrain depicting the expression domains of the secreted and transcription factors involved in the genetic networks required for the differentiation of mDA precursors into mature mDA neurons (dark blue). B, the genetic networks required for the differentiation of mDA precursors into mature mDA neurons. Wnt1 (green) and Lmx1a (brown) continue to be expressed in the ventral midline (FP) and/or in the adjacent BP of the mesencephalon, but Wnt1 expression is now restricted to the VZ/SVZ of the neuroepithelium, whereas Lmx1a is also expressed in the mantle zone containing the postmitotic progeny. At this stage, these factors positively control a genetic cascade including Msx1 (pink), required for expression of Ngn2 (turquoise) in the VZ/SVZ of the ventral midbrain, and probably also Pitx3 (dark blue), although this remains to be shown (indicated by the broken arrow and question mark). Wnt1 may also maintain the expression of En1/2 (dark blue) in postmitotic mDA neurons at these stages. A complementary pathway controlled by Nurr1/Nr4a2 induces the expression of DA biosynthetic enzymes or transporters (Th and Dat/Slc6a3, dark blue) in these cells. Expression of Nurr1/Nr4a2, Pitx3, Th, Dat/Slc6a3, and En1/2 together define the mDA-specific identity of the postmitotic neurons, whereas their generic neuronal properties are regulated by the expression of the proneural factor Ngn2. The possible interactions between Lmx1a and Wnt1 at this stage are unknown (indicated by the broken arrows and question mark). Neither Otx2 (yellow stripes) nor Shh (black stripes) are required for the generation of mature mDA neurons at this developmental stage. Red: Nkx2-2. See text for details.