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A Novel Taulacz Allele Reveals A Requirement For Pitx2 In Formation Of The Mammillothalamic Tract, Mindy Waite
A Novel Taulacz Allele Reveals A Requirement For Pitx2 In Formation Of The Mammillothalamic Tract, Mindy Waite
Mindy Waite
The hypothalamic mammillary region is critical for spatial memory and vestibular processing. Pitx2 encodes a paired-like transcription factor that is highly expressed in the developing mammillary region and is required for subthalamic nucleus formation. Here we analyzed a loss of function Pitx2-TaulacZ knock-in allele to study the effects of Pitx2 deficiency on neuronal projections in the embryonic mammillary region. Pitx2-expressing neurons contribute axons to principal mammillary, mammillotegmental and mammillotectal tracts. Embryos with Pitx2 deficiency exhibit axonal fibers in the principal mammillary tract that are improperly bundled and disorganized, yet project caudally toward the tectum and tegmentum. Embryos …