ETD

• corticogenesi
• corticogenesis
• microRNA
• neurodevelopment
• neurosviluppo

During cortical development, neuronal identity is regulated by the sequential expression of layer-specific transcription factors. We focus on Satb2, whose protein level increases during late corticogenesis and directs the production of supra-granular neurons. The external layers are linked to the formation of the inter-hemispheric callosal connections, which are absent in Marsupials. It was observed that mRNA of this gene is already present in the early stages, but its stability is altered by the interaction with the eutherian-specific microRNA miR-541. We test the effects of the inhibition or overexpression of this microRNA, via antagomiRs and pri-miRNA transfection and transduction, in an in vitro model of mouse corticogenesis, which recapitulates the in vivo temporal pattern of expression of transcription factors. At the same time we test reprogramming protocols on mouse cells, with the purpose of moving on marsupial cells in the future and being able to adapt the neural differentiation protocol to non-eutherian cells.