Publication:
The forkhead transcription factor FOXJ1 controls vertebrate olfactory cilia biogenesis and sensory neuron differentiation

Thumbnail Image

School / College / Institute

Organizational Unit
Organizational Unit
SCHOOL OF MEDICINE
Upper Org Unit

Program

KU-Authors

KU Authors

Co-Authors

Rayamajhi, Dheeraj
Ege, Mert
Ukhanov, Kirill
Ringers, Christa
Zhang, Yiliu
Jung, Inyoung
D'Gama, Percival P.
Li, Summer Shijia
Cosacak, Mehmet Ilyas
Kizil, Caghan

Publication Date

Language

Embargo Status

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Alternative Title

Abstract

In vertebrates, olfactory receptors localize on multiple cilia elaborated on dendritic knobs of olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs). Although olfactory cilia dysfunction can cause anosmia, how their differentiation is programmed at the transcriptional level has remained largely unexplored. We discovered in zebrafish and mice that Foxj1, a forkhead domain-containing transcription factor traditionally linked with motile cilia biogenesis, is expressed in OSNs and required for olfactory epithelium (OE) formation. In keeping with the immotile nature of olfactory cilia, we observed that ciliary motility genes are repressed in zebrafish, mouse, and human OSNs. Strikingly, we also found that besides ciliogenesis, Foxj1 controls the differentiation of the OSNs themselves by regulating their cell type-specific gene expression, such as that of olfactory marker protein (omp) involved in odor-evoked signal transduction. In line with this, response to bile acids, odors detected by OMP-positive OSNs, was significantly diminished in foxj1 mutant zebrafish. Taken together, our findings establish how the canonical Foxj1-mediated motile ciliogenic transcriptional program has been repurposed for the biogenesis of immotile olfactory cilia, as well as for the development of the OSNs. Olfaction is mediated by ciliated sensory neurons, but how olfactory cilia and sensory neuron differentiation is regulated has remained obscure. This study of zebrafish and mice shows that the forkhead domain transcription factor Foxj1 is critical for olfactory cilia and sensory neuron differentiation.

Source

Publisher

Public Library Science

Subject

Biochemistry and molecular biology, Biology

Citation

Has Part

Source

PLOS Biology

Book Series Title

Edition

DOI

10.1371/journal.pbio.3002468

item.page.datauri

Link

Rights

 

Copyrights Note

Endorsement

Review

Supplemented By

Referenced By

3

Views

3

Downloads

View PlumX Details