The caudal ganglionic eminence is a source of distinct cortical and subcortical cell populations.

During development, the mammalian ventral telencephalon is comprised of three major proliferative zones: the medial (MGE), lateral (LGE) and caudal (CGE) ganglionic eminences. Through gene expression studies, in vitro migration assays, genetic mutant analysis and in vivo fate mapping in mice, we found that the CGE is a progenitor region that is distinct from both the MGE and LGE. Notably, CGE cells showed a unique in vivo pattern of migration, and the CGE contributed cells to nuclei distinct from those populated by the MGE and LGE. Moreover, we report that the migratory fate of cells from the CGE is intrinsically determined by embryonic day 13.5 (E13.5). Together, these results provide the first insights into the development and fate of the CGE.