Browsing by Author "Harvey, Emily M."

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    Csde1, an RNA Binding Protein, Modulates Neuronal Subtype Specification
    (2021-09-20) Harvey, Emily M.; Yang, Guang; Huang, Peng; Kurrasch, Deborah
    Neuronal diversity is the root of complex function in the cerebral cortex. During cortical development, neural stem cells give rise to neurons. Neurons are a diverse cell type and can be grouped into many subtypes, each with distinct functional identities. Neurogenesis and neuronal subtype specification are carefully regulated, both temporally and spatially, by programmed gene expression. One mechanism controlling gene expression is translational regulation, which alters levels of protein synthesis. Translational regulation orchestrated by RNA binding proteins allows dynamic alterations in protein expression. Here I determine that Cold-shock domain containing E1 (Csde1), an RNA binding protein, regulates the specification of neuronal subtypes in the cerebral cortex. In the developing murine cortex, Csde1 is highly expressed in newborn neurons of the cortical plate during development. I show that reduced Csde1 expression alters neuronal subtype in the embryonic and post-natal cortex. Csde1 reduction disrupts the distribution of neuronal subtypes within the cortical plate. Additionally, reduced Csde1 expression increases mixed neuronal subtype identity. Together, this indicates that the specification of neuronal subtypes is subject to translational regulation, and that Csde1 activity is essential for specification of neurons in the cortex.