# Transcriptional regulation of neuronal identity and connectivity

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA SANTA CRUZ · 2020 · $371,795

## Abstract

The cerebral cortex is crucial for our highest cognitive and perceptual functions. Its
function depends on the precise generation of different neuronal subtypes, and proper
wiring of the neurons both within the cerebral cortex and between the cortex and other
brain regions. Corticothalamic projection neurons extend axons into the thalamus. They
are important in sensory processing, and their dysfunction has been implicated in
epilepsy. Subcerebral projection neurons project axons into the midbrain, hindbrain, and
spinal cord. These neurons are clinically important since they degenerate in Amyotrophic
Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and other diseases, and are damaged in spinal cord injury.
Despite their functional importance and extensive involvement in neurological diseases,
the transcription network regulating the generation of distinct cortical projection neuron
subtypes remains to be identified. Exciting discoveries have recently been made to
illustrate the functions of a network of transcription factors including Fezf2, Tbr1, Sox5
and Satb2, in specifying the identities of distinct projection neuron subtypes. However,
our recent and unpublished studies have revealed unexpected complexity in the
functions of these genes and their interactions with each other. Thus our understanding
of the network of transcription factors regulating cortical neuron fate specification
remains incomplete. Lack of such knowledge hinders our effort to understand the
biological causes of various neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism, mental
retardation, and schizophrenia, and prevents us from designing effective strategies to
prevent and treat these diseases. In this grant application, we propose to determine the
transcription factor network that specifies the subtype identities and connectivities for
subcerebral neurons (Aim 1) and to identify the multiple functions of Satb2 (Aim 2) and
Tbr1 (Aim 3) in regulating cortical projection neuron fate specification and differentiation.
We will combine mouse genetics, molecular biology and neuroanatomical techniques to
achieve these aims.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9851008
- **Project number:** 5R01MH094589-09
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA SANTA CRUZ
- **Principal Investigator:** Bin Chen
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $371,795
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2011-07-01 → 2022-01-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9851008

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9851008, Transcriptional regulation of neuronal identity and connectivity (5R01MH094589-09). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9851008. Licensed CC0.

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