Mammalian brains are highly conserved at both the neuroanatomical and gene expression levels. However, the subplate is a neocortical subregion distinguished by a markedly different developmental trajectory among primates compared to other mammals. Moreover, the molecular mechanisms driving these species differences in subplate development remain mostly unknown. Here, we show that human FOXP2, a transcription factor important for speech and language, regulates gene expression programs consistent with subplate neuron expression patterns. These transcriptional profiles have unique overlaps with in vivo data from human fetal brain. We also distinguish DNA-dependent and DNA-independent mechanisms for human FOXP2 to repress patterns of germinal zone expression and promote excitatory neuron gene expression patterns. SOURCE: Genevieve Konopka (gena@alum.mit.edu) -  UT Southwestern Medical Center

Pluto Bioinformatics

GSE111353: FOXP2 regulates differential transcriptional programs in human subplate