Oligodendrocyte Transcription Factor 3 (OLIG3)

Muller et al. (2005) found that mouse Olig3 has a role in the development of class A and B neurons of the dorsal horn of the spinal cord. Olig3 was expressed in neural progenitor cells around embryonic day 9, was broadly expressed at day 10.5, and was quickly downregulated in postmitotic neurons of the dorsal spinal cord. Development of class A neurons was impaired in Olig3 mutant mice; dI1 neurons were generated in reduced numbers, and dI2 and dI3 neurons were misspecified and assumed the identity of class B neurons. Conversely, Olig3 repressed the emergence of class B neurons in the developing chicken spinal cord. Muller et al. (2005) concluded that OLIG3 expression distinguishes the 2 major classes of progenitors in the dorsal spinal cord and determines the distinct specification program of class A neurons.