Supplementary Figure 2: Th mRNA is present in the posterior hypothalamus (PH) / rostral linear (RLi) region and the interpeduncular nucleus (IPN). | Nature Neuroscience

Supplementary Figure 2: Th mRNA is present in the posterior hypothalamus (PH) / rostral linear (RLi) region and the interpeduncular nucleus (IPN).

From: Mapping projections of molecularly defined dopamine neuron subtypes using intersectional genetic approaches

Supplementary Figure 2

At the level of the midbrain, we observed labeled neurons in the rostral linear (RLi) and posterior hypothalamic (PH) regions, as defined in the Allen Reference Atlas. Like all midbrain DA neurons, this population of neurons is derived from the midbrain floorplate and express the markers Dopa decarboxylase (Ddc mRNA), NURR1, FOXA2, and PITX3 (not shown). However, although Th mRNA is observed in this region in the adult, these neurons do not express detectable level of TH protein nor the dopamine transporter (Dat mRNA), and are not recombined with Dat-ires-Cre. Thus, labeled PH/RLi neurons share developmental origins with midbrain DA neurons, and harbor similar molecular profiles, apart from Dat expression. In addition to the PH/RLi, we also observed Flpo-induced recombination in the interpeduncular nucleus (IPN), another region in the vicinity of DA neurons, where Th mRNA is observed, and that is also recombined by Th-ires-Cre driver. However, IPN neurons have low/undetectable TH protein in adult brains. Further, these neurons are not related to midbrain DA neurons, since they do not express NURR1, FOXA2, PITX3 (not shown), Ddc mRNA, and are not derived from the midbrain floor plate.

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