Cellular commitment in the developing cerebellum.

The mammalian cerebellum is located in the posterior cranial fossa and is critical for motor coordination and non-motor functions including cognitive and emotional processes. The anatomical structure of cerebellum is distinct with a three-layered cortex. During development, neurogenesis and fate decisions of cerebellar primordium cells are orchestrated through tightly controlled molecular events involving multiple genetic pathways. In this review, we will highlight the anatomical structure of human and mouse cerebellum, the cellular composition of developing cerebellum, and the underlying gene expression programs involved in cell fate commitments in the cerebellum. A critical evaluation of the cell death literature suggests that apoptosis occurs in ~5% of cerebellar cells, most shortly after mitosis. Apoptosis and cellular autophagy likely play significant roles in cerebellar development, we provide a comprehensive discussion of their role in cerebellar development and organization. We also address the possible function of unfolded protein response in regulation of cerebellar neurogenesis. We discuss recent advancements in understanding the epigenetic signature of cerebellar compartments and possible connections between DNA methylation, microRNAs and cerebellar neurodegeneration. Finally, we discuss genetic diseases associated with cerebellar dysfunction and their role in the aging cerebellum.

Introduction

Microscopic anatomy of the cerebellum was described in detail at the end of the 19th century by Ramon y Cajal and has attracted the attention of many researchers over the last century, and yet many questions remain unanswered. The role of cerebellum in motor coordination is well studied (Ito, 1984; Glickstein, 1993; Schmahmann, 1997; Glickstein et al., 2009). Increasing evidence shows that the cerebellum also plays a significant role in cognitive functions such as attention, language, emotional behavior, sleep, and even non-somatic visceral responses (Leiner et al., 1991; Wiser et al., 1998; Schmahmann and Caplan, 2006). This review will focus on development of the cerebellum and especially the factors that dictate the generation, migration, and differentiation of neurons. A detailed review of function, physiology, circuitry (White and Sillitoe, 2013a), and neurochemistry (Kwong et al., 2000) is beyond the scope of this paper.

The mammalian cerebellum is characterized by a midline vermis flanked by hemispheres on each side. Folds and fissures divide the cerebellum into lobes, lobules, and folia. Mammalian and avian cerebellum is conventionally divided into 3 lobes that are further subdivided into 10 lobules (I–X) (Larsell, 1970; Sotelo and Wassef, 1991; Voogd and Glickstein, 1998; Glickstein et al., 2009). The cerebellum contains relatively few cell types that are aggregated in the cerebellar gray matter including the cerebellar cortex and cerebellar nuclei. The cerebellar cortex is formed by three layers, whose neuronal components include stellate and basket cells in the molecular layer, Purkinje and candelabrum cells in the Purkinje layer, and granule cells, Golgi cells, unipolar brush cells, and Lugaro cells in the granular layer. Neurons of the cerebellar nuclei are located close to the roof of the fourth ventricle deep within the cerebellar white matter. The cerebellar nuclei along with some vestibular nuclei constitute the sole output of the cerebellum (Ito, 1984; De Zeeuw and Berrebi, 1995; Voogd et al., 1996).

Cerebellar neurons can be classified into inhibitory gamma-butyric acid (GABAergic) and excitatory glutamatergic neurons (Hoshino, 2006b; Carletti and Rossi, 2008). Purkinje cells, which are GABAergic, are the principal neurons of the cerebellar cortex with an elaborate dendritic arborization that extends into the molecular layer. Purkinje cells, the sole output of cerebellar cortex, project to the cerebellar nuclei neurons (Leto and Rossi, 2012; Mordel et al., 2013; Steuber and Jaeger, 2013). Candelabrum cells are also GABAergic; they are uniformly distributed throughout the entire cerebellar cortex. The small somata are roughly pyriform and vertically located between the Purkinje cell somata (Lainé and Axelrad, 1994; Ambrosi et al., 2007; Carletti and Rossi, 2008). Other cerebellar cortex GABAergic interneurons include basket and stellate cells in the molecular layer, and Golgi and Lugaro cells located in the granular layer (Leto et al., 2008; Leto and Rossi, 2012; Castejón, 2013).

Glutamatergic neurons include the granule cells, unipolar brush cells, and excitatory projection neurons (large neurons in the cerebellar nuclei) (Lainé and Axelrad, 1994; Voogd and Glickstein, 1998; Cotterill, 2001; Sillitoe and Joyner, 2007). The cerebellar granule cells are the smallest and most abundant neurons in the vertebrate brain, representing about 80% of all neurons in the human brain (Azevedo et al., 2009). The small cell bodies are packed into the granular layer with about 4–5 dendrites that receive cerebellar afferent input (Goldowitz et al., 1997; Kalinichenko and Okhotin, 2005; Chédotal, 2010). Unipolar brush cells are small glutamatergic neurons residing in the granular layer of the cerebellar cortex; they amplify signals from afferent fibers (Kalinichenko and Okhotin, 2005; Mugnaini et al., 2011).

The cerebellar nuclei are comprised of four major subdivisions: (A) the medial (fastigial), which is subdivided further into caudomedial, middle, and dorsolateral (rostrolateral) nuclei; (B) anterior and posterior interposed nuclei; and (C) lateral (dentate) nuclei (De Zeeuw and Berrebi, 1995; Manto et al., 2013). The medial nuclei generally communicate with the vermis, the interposed nuclei with the paravermis, and the lateral nuclei with the hemispheres (Voogd and Glickstein, 1998). Cerebellar nuclei are composed of several neuronal types: excitatory glutamatergic neurons, which project to different parts of the brain, inhibitory GABAergic neurons that terminate in the inferior olive (Ruigrok, 1997), and inhibitory GABAergic and glycinergic interneurons (Uusisaari et al., 2007; Uusisaari and Knöpfel, 2012).

The cerebellum receives two major and one minor types of afferent input. Mossy fibers constitute the majority of afferent fibers in the adult cerebellum. Arising from multiple sources in the central nervous system, they project to the Purkinje cells through granule cells/parallel fibers (Valle et al., 2001; Voogd et al., 2003; Voogd, 2011). Climbing fibers are exclusively derived from the inferior olivary complex; they synapse on the dendrites of Purkinje cells (Marani and Voogd, 1979; Campbell and Armstrong, 1983). A third set of afferents called neuromodulatory cerebellar afferents terminate in all three layers of the cerebellar cortex (Jaarsma et al., 1997; Schweighofer et al., 2004; Manto et al., 2013). All afferents to the cerebellum also send a direct branch to the cerebellar nuclei; these nuclei neurons also receive the Purkinje cell input that are essential in monitoring the whole cerebellar output (Marzban et al., 2010; Hashimoto and Hibi, 2012).

The fundamental architecture of the cerebellum is organized into four transverse zones based on gene expression and afferent fiber termination; the anterior zone (AZ: corresponding approximately to lobules I–V in mice), the central zone (CZ: lobules VI–VII), which can be further subdivided into anterior (CZa) and posterior (CZp) components (Marzban et al., 2008; Sawada et al., 2008), the posterior zone (PZ: lobules VIII–IX), and the nodular zone (NZ: lobules IX–X; Ji and Hawkes, 1994; Marzban et al., 2003, 2004, 2012; Sugihara and Quy, 2007; Marzban and Hawkes, 2011; Bailey et al., 2014). The boundaries of these zones do not align absolutely with the lobe and lobule divisions, but provide a more functionally relevant way of dividing the cerebellum (Marzban et al., 2011, 2014). The cerebellum contains the most elaborately patterned circuit of all the central nervous system structures, which may be essential for organizing the large number of functional and topographic zonal circuits (Reeber et al., 2013; White and Sillitoe, 2013b). Studies on gene expression patterns in cerebellar nuclei neurons have also revealed molecular heterogeneity that may mirror the molecular complexity of the cerebellar cortex (Chung et al., 2009).

The principal cerebellar cytostructure is set during early development and precedes the process of neurogenesis and axonogenesis during which cerebellar circuits and functions are established. Here, we will first describe cerebellar development in humans, which begins during embryonic development and continues into early childhood. We will then review, lower mammalian cerebellar development, highlighting the molecular and genetic aspects of the cerebellar primordium, germinal zones, and neurogenesis that cannot be directly studied in humans. Finally, we will discuss the latest advancements in the study of genetic, epigenetic and molecular signaling pathways in cerebellum development.

Embryonic and early fetal development of the human cerebellum

Detailed morphologic descriptions of human cerebellum development in the embryonic period come mainly from the work of Müller and O’Rahilly, although some information had been published earlier. At Carnegie stage 13 (28 days post fertilization) the cerebellar plate begins as a bulge on the dorsal aspect of the rhombencephalon (alar plate of the rhombomere 1), dorsolateral to the sulcus limitans on the floor of the fourth ventricle (Müller and O’Rahilly, 1988a). At stage 14 (32 days) the cerebellar primordium expands rapidly with a thick ventricular layer comprised of radially oriented cells, a less cellular intermediate layer, and a marginal layer (Bogaert and Belpaire, 1977). At stage 15 (36 days) the two sides of the cerebellar primordium are not yet in contact and are spanned by the thin rhombencephalic roof plate (Müller and O’Rahilly, 1988b). The rhombic lip, a dorsolateral proliferative area with mitotic activity, is established at stage 16 (40 days) (Müller and O’Rahilly, 1989). Neuron progenitors begin migrating from the ventricular zone (VZ) at stages 18 and 19 (44–48 days) (Müller and O’Rahilly, 1990a). By stage 20 (52 days) cells that will form the dentate nucleus migrate radially from the VZ and rostromedially from the rhombic lip. At stage 20 the superior cerebellar peduncle appears. At stage 21 the dorsal projection of the cerebellar plate thickens. The cerebellar commissures (rudiments of the vermis) are first apparent at stage 22. At stage 23 (approximately 57 days/8 weeks; the end of the embryonic period) the external germinal zone (EGZ; usually referred to as the external granular layer in human literature) extends from the rhombic lip onto the dorsum of the cerebellar bulge. The cerebellar plate arches over the brainstem in a U-shape (Müller and O’Rahilly, 1990b).

Cho et al. studied a separate set of embryonic and fetal specimens age at 6–16 weeks gestation (Cho et al., 2011). They reported that the first identifiable cerebellar feature was a thickening on the dorsolateral aspect of the alar plate facing the fourth ventricle at 6 weeks. At the end of embryonic period and beginning of fetal period, from 7–9 weeks, the rhombic lips and alar plates expanded to form the anlages of the cerebellar hemispheres, which began to approximate over the fourth ventricle. By 10 weeks the cerebellar anlages were fused in midline. From 11 to 12 weeks cerebellar posterolateral and primary fissures developed in the vermis and the EGZ became distinct. At 15–16 weeks fissures deepened, more so in the hemispheres, and the dentate nucleus was apparent.

Rakic and Sidman characterized the layers of the cerebellum from 7 to 40 weeks gestation and into adulthood (Rakic and Sidman, 1970). Cell proliferation was restricted to the VZ up to 10 weeks gestation at which time outward radial migration created a 2-layer stage. The EGZ appeared as a distinct layer at 10–11 weeks (3-layer stage), and Purkinje cell plate established by 13 weeks. At 20–21 weeks the hypocellular lamina dissecans became evident deep to the marginal (future molecular) layer, and the 5-layer appearance persisted to 32 weeks. The lamina dissecans disappeared (4-layer stage) at 32 weeks and the EGZ disappeared postnatally (3-layer stage). Similar histologic progression has been reported by others (Milosevic and Zecevic, 1998).

Fetal and postnatal development of the human cerebellum

During the fetal period, the infratentorial (cerebellum plus brainstem) part of the brain is >5% of the total weight from 14 to 17 weeks, about 5% from 18 to 29 weeks, and exceeds 6.5% by 40 weeks (Guihard-Costa and Larroche, 1990). Between birth and 9 months the cerebellum increases from 5.7 to 10% of the total brain weight. Thereafter the growth rate is the same as brain growth overall and the proportionate weight is constant (Ellis, 1920).

Nowakowska-Kotas et al. studied the lobular morphology of human cerebellum from gestational weeks 15 to 28 (Nowakowska-Kotas et al., 2014). During this interval the flocculonodular lobe volume decreases proportionately from 9 to 6%, the anterior lobe increases from 11 to 22%, and the posterior lobe occupies 80 to 72%. They found a 3.5-fold increase in the exterior cerebellar surface. Taking into account the real surface area along folia, this corresponds to a 30-fold increase in the total surface area (Lemire, 1975).

The vermis begins to develop folia by 13–14 weeks and all of the midline lobules can be identified by 15 weeks. Development of the folia is completed approximately 2 months after term birth (Loeser et al., 1972). From 17 to 29 weeks the relative sizes of the lobules is maintained even as the secondary and tertiary braches of the lobules develop (Kapur et al., 2009).

Developmental morphology of Purkinje neurons has been studied in detail using Golgi impregnation and electron microscopy beginning at 12 weeks gestation. Between 12 and 16 weeks they are small and several rows deep. Between 16–28 weeks they become organized into a single row, enlarge, and develop increasing complex dendritic branches and synapses. Synaptic complexity continues to increase into the first postnatal year (Zecevic and Rakic, 1976). Purkinje neurons rapidly expand in volume between birth and 2 years, and then again around 7–9 years age when adult size is reached (Tsekhmistrenko, 1999). Neurons of the granular layer become progressively more clustered, reaching a plateau at approximately 14–15 years (Tsekhmistrenko, 2001). The prolonged development differs considerably from non-primate species (Zecevic and Rakic, 1976).

Friede documented thickness of the layers of the cerebellum from 24 weeks gestation to 13 months postnatal (Friede, 1973). He reported that the EGZ is fairly stable until approximately 2 months postnatal after which it gradually disappears by 12 months. The molecular layer thickens rapidly between 38 weeks gestation and 1 year postnatal. The Purkinje cell bodies become obvious at about 28 weeks in the vermis and 32 weeks in the hemispheres. Irregular clusters of immature appearing “matrix” cells persist in the deep cerebellar white matter around the cerebellar nuclei until ~4 months, involuting along with the EGZ; the fate of these cells is unclear.

Abrahám et al. studied brains from 24 weeks gestation to 11 months postnatal. They documented layer thickness and cell proliferation (based on Ki67 immunoreactivity) in the EGZ, molecular layer, and granular layer (Abrahám et al., 2001). More than 50% of cells in the EGZ are Ki67 positive from 24 to 34 weeks gestation. The width of the EGZ peaks at 34 weeks and diminishes rapidly between 1 and 9 months postnatal with proliferation negligible after 5–6 months. Width of the molecular layer expanded through the full age range studied. The rate of granular layer expansion is greatest in the vermis and hemispheres from approximately 22 to 32 weeks gestation and is more gradual in the flocculus (Gudovic et al., 1998). During the early fetal period the EGZ is generally a fairly regular layer, but from 25 weeks gestation onward in approximately half of autopsy specimens the EGZ has a regular knobby appearance with clusters of EGZ cells punctuated by penetrating blood vessels (Gelpi et al., 2013). By the third trimester the outer layer of the EGZ (adjacent to the pial surface) is densely packed and contains the proliferating precursor cells. The inner layer of the EGZ is less densely packed and is composed of postmitotic migrating neurons (Haldipur et al., 2011). Gadson (Gadson and Emery, 1976) found that the EGZ disappears between 12 and 18 postnatal months. The cell density of the granular layer reaches adult levels by 2 years age.

Cell death in the developing human cerebellum

While studying cerebellar cell proliferation, Abrahám et al. also documented dying cells (Abrahám et al., 2001). The percentage of pyknotic nuclei, presumed to be dying cells, was approximately 0.5% in the EGZ from 24 to 34 weeks and between 0.06 and 0.3% to 9 months. In the granular layer there were fewer dying cells, typically <0.1% at all ages studied. Nat et al. studied cell death from 8 to 22 weeks gestation (Nat et al., 2001) using terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL; see limitations of this method discussed below). At 8 weeks the proportion of TUNEL positive cells in the proliferative VZ was 34 ± 7% and in the postmitotic region (i.e., the cerebellar plate) was 18 ± 8%. At 12 weeks, TUNEL positive cells were 20 ± 8% in the VZ and 31 ± 5% in the EGZ. At 15–22 weeks, the granular layer had 5 ± 2% and the Purkinje cell layer 4 ± 1% TUNEL positive cells. At all ages, only about 5% of apoptotic cells were immunoreactive for the cell “suicide” receptor Fas (APO-1/CD95).

Lavezzi et al. (2006) studied brains from 17 weeks gestation to 12 months postnatal using proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) immunostaining, which yields some information about cell proliferation, and TUNEL. They reported their data semiquantitatively. PCNA positive cells were present in all layers of the cerebellum from 17 to 25 weeks gestation. Labeling remained abundant (>30% of cells) in the EGZ and sparse in the molecular and granular layers to 39 weeks gestation and ceased to be detectable in any layer after 3 months postnatal. TUNEL positive cells were restricted to the EGZ, first apparent sparsely at 26 weeks gestation and abundantly from 4 to 12 months postnatal, by which time the EGZ had disappeared. The authors observed that TUNEL positive cells lacked the morphologic features of dying cells and were negative for BCL2. Simonati and coworkers used TUNEL in fetal brains 12–24 weeks gestation and in three neonatal brains (Simonati et al., 1997, 1999). Scattered TUNEL positive cells were present in the granular layer at all ages but labeled nuclei were not observed in the EGZ, Purkinje cell layer, or in the dentate nucleus. They concluded that mainly glial cells undergo apoptosis in developing cerebellum.

Lossi and coworkers studied cell death in postnatal human cerebellum from term birth to adulthood using TUNEL and T4 DNA ligase methods (Lossi et al., 1998). They used anti-Ki67 to label proliferating cells. From birth to 3 months >30% of cells in the EGZ were Ki67 positive, after which proliferation declined. TUNEL labeling was observed in the EGZ (4–8% of cells), in the granular layer (<2% of cells), and in the white matter (<3% of cells) from birth to 3 months and not thereafter. Seemingly apoptotic cells were often immunoreactive for CPP32/ interleukin-1 beta-converting enzyme but negative for Bcl-2. The authors remarked on the relatively low frequency of cell death in human brains and discussed possible explanations for interspecies differences (e.g., Wood et al., 1993; Krueger et al., 1995). BCL-X, which is related to BCL-2, was reported to be highly expressed in the human fetal cerebellum (Sohma et al., 1996).

In summary, TUNEL labeling in the developing human cerebellum has been documented, but the reported frequency varies considerably. Limitations of the TUNEL method include the lack of specificity for apoptosis and propensity for false positive labeling (Chan et al., 2002; Loo, 2011). Fixative type and delays influence TUNEL positivity (Tamura et al., 2000); fixation can vary considerably in autopsy material. Unfortunately there are no comprehensive studies of cell death developing human cerebellum using other methods. It is not clear to what extent apoptosis and synapse elimination (Hashimoto and Kano, 2013), which has not been studied in humans, are related.

Despite fairly clear morphologic and histologic details about fetal and postnatal cerebellum development in humans, the early embryologic features and the molecular/genetic determinants are not easily studied. Information about early cerebellar development has been acquired from studies of lower animals that have very primitive cerebellum-like structures and from experiments in other mammals, especially rodents.

Cerebellum and cerebellum-like structures

The basic features of cerebellar architecture are present in primitive species such as hagfish (myxinoids) and lampreys and are called cerebellum-like (cerebelloid) structures (Larsell, 1967). The cerebellum-like structures seem to have parallel fibers and interneurons similar to the molecular layer. Classically, the main component of cerebellum-like structures comprises the medial octavolateral nucleus (MON) and dorsal octavolateral nucleus (DON; Yopak and Montgomery, 2008; Kajiura et al., 2010; Yopak, 2012; Kaslin and Brand, 2013).

Cerebellum-like structures arise from the alar plate of the neural tube (Gao et al., 1996). They are comprised of a layer of principal cells, the exact nature of which is not clear. These cells are probably analogous to the Purkinje cells (Devor, 2000) or neurons of the cerebellar nuclei (Montgomery et al., 2012). It has been shown that the MON receives direct afferent nerves from the mechanosensory receptors of the lateral line system and the DON receives afferents from the electrosensory receptors of the ampullae of Lorenzini (Devor, 2000; Montgomery et al., 2012). In addition to direct projections, the afferents to cerebellum-like structures can be categorized into two major types: parallel fibers and primary afferents. The cell bodies of parallel fibers are called granule cells, which are driven by multiple sources including the spinal cord, brain stem, and cerebrum (Devor, 2000). The primary afferent input in the case of cerebellar-like structures may be analogous to climbing fibers from the inferior olivary nucleus and originate from the octavolateral end organs (Devor, 2000). However, it is also believed that the cerebellar-like structures do not have climbing fiber projections (Montgomery et al., 2012). The similarities and differences of cerebellum and cerebellum-like structures have been reviewed in detail elsewhere (Devor, 2000; Bell, 2002; Montgomery et al., 2012).

Evolutionary appearance of the cerebellum occurred at the juncture between early vertebrates and gnathostomes (jawed vertebrates) (Striedter, 2005). The MON is evident in some hagfish (myxinoids) (Larsell, 1967; Ronan and Northcutt, 1998; Northcutt, 2002), whilst, the two octavolateralis nuclei; i.e., MON and DON are found in lampreys, which lack a true cerebellum (Larsell, 1967; Ronan and Northcutt, 1998; Weigle and Northcutt, 1999; Northcutt, 2002). In addition to the MON and DON, cartilaginous fishes have well defined cerebellum. It has been suggested that the cerebellum arose through a change in the genetic-developmental program, amounting to a duplication of existing structure (e.g., the MON) (Montgomery et al., 2012). Teleost fish lack distinct cerebellar nuclei while lampreys and sharks have at least one cerebellar nucleus (Butler and Hodos, 2005; Kaslin and Brand, 2013). However, because the cerebellar function relies on the cerebellar nuclei neurons as the sole output, it is a matter of debate whether structures lacking cerebellar nuclei should be considered a cerebellum/cerebelloid structure.

It has been suggested that the cerebellum can be considered an example of “subsumption architecture”, in which the new cytoarchitecture and circuits are while maintaining existing fundamental components to improve functionality during evolution (Montgomery et al., 2012; Butts et al., 2014).

Cerebellar development and neurogenesis

The mouse cerebellar primordium emerges at about embryonic day (E) 7–8 as a neuroepithelial swelling of the rostral lip of the fourth ventricle, which is part of the alar plate of the metencephalon (rhombomere-1/r1) (Goldowitz and Hamre, 1998; Wingate and Hatten, 1999; Wang and Zoghbi, 2001; Lumsden, 2004; Wingate, 2005). The cerebellar primordium develops from a region of neural tube characterized by expression of Gbx2 and lacking expression of Otx2 and Hoxa2 (Butts et al., 2014). Shortly after the cerebellar primordium is formed as a separate simple plate in the dorsal r1, a 90° rotation changes the direction of axes and causes midline fusion (Alvarez Otero et al., 1993; Sgaier et al., 2005). Consequently, the rostral-medial ends of the bilateral primordia form the vermis and the caudal-lateral part becomes the hemisphere of the cerebellum (Louvi et al., 2003). The narrow ring encircling the neural tube between the mesencephalon and rhombencephalon, called the isthmus, forms the anterior boundary of the cerebellar primordium. The isthmus contains the “isthmic organizer”, which is important in development and maintaining the mesencephalon (rostrally) and rhombencephalon (caudally; rhombomere 1) (Itasaki and Nakamura, 1992; Martínez, 2001; Rhinn and Brand, 2001; Wurst and Bally-Cuif, 2001; Partanen, 2007; Crespo-Enriquez et al., 2012). The earliest molecular specification of the isthmic organizer is the interaction between homeodomain transcription factors OTX2 in the rostral epithelium and GBX2 in the caudal domain (Wassarman et al., 1997; Shamim and Mason, 1998; Katahira et al., 2000; Martinez et al., 2013). Important signaling molecules secreted by the isthmic organizer include members of the fibroblast growth factor family such as FGF8 (Heikinheimo et al., 1994; Martinez et al., 2013). Fgf8 expression is revealed by in situ hybridization at E8.5 in mice at the interface of Otx2 and Gbx2 positive neuroepithelial cells (Martinez et al., 2013). Similar to GBX2, which induces cerebellar primordium formation in r1 by inhibition of Otx2, FGF8 signaling appears to act also by inhibiting Otx2 in the r1. It was shown that FGF8 is required for development of the vermis; reduction of FGF8 is associated with expansion of Otx2 expression in alar plate of r1 (Butts et al., 2014). Otx2 and Gbx2 expression are fundamental for positioning the isthmic organizer and for the establishment of molecular interactions of FGF8, EN1, EN2, WNT1, PAX2, Iroquas (IRXS), Sonic Hedgehog (SHH), and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β family member expression (Danielian and McMahon, 1996; Hidalgo-Sánchez et al., 2005; Blaess et al., 2006; Vieira et al., 2010; Martinez et al., 2013). Temporo-spatial patterns of such gene expressions are necessary for the normal development of the cerebellum particularly in the anterior region. For instance, En1 and En2 expression extends over the rostral cerebellar territory from the mesencephalon at ~E9 in mice. Some mouse strains with En1 and En2 mutations (meander tail, leaner) have anterior cerebellar anomalies (Ross et al., 1990; McMahon et al., 1992). Depending on the developmental stage, the “isthmic organizer” controls a variety of processes such as cell survival, cell identity, neural precursor proliferation, neuronal differentiation, and axon guidance (Millet et al., 1996; Martínez, 2001; Martinez et al., 2013). The caudal boundary is defined by the roof plate of the fourth ventricle (Lee et al., 2000; Millonig et al., 2000; Chizhikov et al., 2006a), where Hox2 expression is present in r1 but not r2 (Wurst and Bally-Cuif, 2001). The roof plate is a source of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) family members that can induce expression of Math1, an important factor in cerebellar primordium development (Alder et al., 1999).

Early cerebellar primordium neuronal populations have been mapped based on gene expression. Expression patterns of specific transcription factors that define four distinct cellular domains during early development (~E10–E12) are summarized in Table 1 (Chizhikov et al., 2006a; Zordan et al., 2008).

Table 1

Neuronal populations within the cerebellar primordium.

Domain	Genes	Phenotypes	Neurons
C1	Math1Lmx1a	Glutamatergic	Large neurons of the cerebellar nuclei, granule cells, unipolar brush cell
C2	Lhx1/5Ptf1a	GABAergic	Purkinje cells interneurons
C3	Lmx1aTbr1	Glutamatergic	Large neurons of the cerebellar nuclei
C4	Lhx1/5	?	?

Germinal zones of the developing cerebellum

The cerebellar primordium contains two germinal zones: the neuroepithelium of the fourth ventricle wall (ventricular zone—VZ) and the rhombic lip (Englund et al., 2006; Fink et al., 2006). For a long time, it was believed that all cerebellar neurons originate from the VZ, except granule cells that originate from RL (Altman and Bayer, 1985a,b,c; Wang and Zoghbi, 2001). However, recently it has been suggested that the rhombic lip also produces large projection cerebellar nuclei neurons and unipolar brush cells (Ben-Arie et al., 1997; Machold and Fishell, 2005). Secondary germinal zones include the external germinal zone (EGZ), rostral germinal zone (RGZ), and anterolateral border of the cerebellar plate (summarized in Figure 1). Transcription factor, protein, and receptor expression during cerebellar development and germinal zone specification has been reviewed recently (Garel et al., 2011; Hoshino, 2012). Two bHLH transcription factors, PTF1a and MATH1 might be essential in defining and specification of the VZ and the RL (Hevner et al., 2006; Hoshino, 2006a).

Figure 1

Germinal zones in the developing cerebellum. (A–C) Schematic illustration of the spatiotemporal parameters at sagittal sections of the early cerebellar development (embryonic (E) day 10–13 (E10–E13) (A), E16–E17 (B), and postnatal (P) day 20 (P20) to adult (C). Neuroepithelium of 4th ventricle (ventricular zone (VZ)) is sources of all GABAergic neurons including Purkinje cells (green), Rhombic lip (RL) is sources of glutamatergic neurons including cerebellar nuclei neurons (red) and external germinal zone (orange; source of granule cells). (D–F) Schematic illustrations of the spatiotemporal parameters in corticogensis in which Purkinje cells cluster disperse in the monolayer and granular layer form. A cartoon of cerebellar cortex at around P4 (D), at around P10 (E), and in adult (F) is shown. Purkinje cells (green) express SHH that increases proliferative activity of external germinal zone (EGZ) cells (precursor of granule cells). Reelin express from precursor of granule cells and causes dispersal of Purkinje cells cluster (D) to monolayer (E–F). Granule cells differentiate and migrate cross Purkinje cells layer to final destination i.e., granular layer and granule cells development is completed by maturation in this layer. Abbreviations: Pcc: Purkinje cell clusters, Purkinje cells precursor: pcp, mesencephalon: m, rhombic lip: RL, E: embryonic day, EGZ: external germinal layer (zone), gc: granule cells, m: mesencephalon, NTZ: nuclear transitory zone, A: Adult, pcl: Purkinje cell layer, RL: rhombic lip, ml: molecular layer.

Ventricular zone

All GABAergic cerebellar neurons are derived from the VZ of the cerebellar plate (Zhang and Goldman, 1996; Maricich and Herrup, 1999; Hoshino et al., 2005; Hibi and Shimizu, 2012). Purkinje cells are derived around E10–E13 in mouse (Miale and Sidman, 1961; Wang and Zoghbi, 2001; Hashimoto and Mikoshiba, 2003), while interneurons (stellate/basket and Golgi cells) are born postnatally (Miale and Sidman, 1961). Several transcription factors are important to instruct VZ cells to differentiate into GABAergic neurons (Hoshino et al., 2005; Hoshino, 2006a). Notch1 mRNA is expressed in the cerebellar primordium as early as E9 and is restricted to neural progenitors in the VZ (Machold and Fishell, 2005). NOTCH regulates expression of a cascade of transcription factors belonging to the basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) family (Kalyani et al., 1997; Robey, 1997; Artavanis-Tsakonas et al., 1999). Within the VZ, Hes5 expression reflects NOTCH signaling activity in the cerebellar progenitor pool, while expression of DELTA1 likely indicates a subpopulation of neural precursors that are undergoing differentiation (Machold and Fishell, 2005). In addition, the bHLH transcription factor MASH1 appears to be expressed in precursors of GABAergic cerebellar neurons that arise from the VZ (Ma et al., 1997; Lutolf et al., 2002; Hoshino et al., 2005).

Recently, it was revealed that the VZ is characterized by Ptf1a expression. The mouse mutant cerebelless, which lacks the entire cerebellar cortex, has a mutation in the Ptf1a (Hoshino et al., 2005; Hoshino, 2006a; Butts et al., 2014). Ptf1a encodes a bHLH transcription factor, which was originally reported to be important in differentiation of endodermal cells into a pancreatic lineage. Ptf1a plays an essential role in generation of cerebellar GABAergic neurons; lineage-tracing analyses revealed that neuroepithelial cells in the cerebellar VZ produce neurons even in the absence of Ptf1a expression, although the subsequent neurons cannot differentiate into GABAergic neurons (Krapp et al., 1998; Kawauchi et al., 2005; Hoshino, 2006a; Millen et al., 2014). It seems that Ptf1a functions independent of the NOTCH signaling pathway (Beres et al., 2006).

Rhombic lip; caudomedial germinal zone

The rhombic lip is a highly proliferative region of the neural fold located along the dorsal edge of the fourth ventricle in early development. It is present in all vertebrates (Wingate, 2001; Dun, 2012; Yeung et al., 2014). It can be subdivided into eight units according to the rhombomeres 1–8 (r1–8; r1 considered upper rhombi lip and r2–r8 considered lower rhombic lip), which are transiently recognizable during early developmental stages of the rhombencephalon (Altman and Bayer, 1997). Classically, the upper rhombic lip was thought to generate only cerebellar granule neurons (Altman and Bayer, 1997). Precursors are created from E12.5 to E17 and they migrate to establish the EGZ (Wingate, 2001; Machold and Fishell, 2005), which in turn gives rise to the granule cells during the first two postnatal weeks in mice (Miale and Sidman, 1961; Wang and Zoghbi, 2001). Recent studies indicate that other glutamatergic neuronal populations arise from RL (Machold and Fishell, 2005). These include projection neurons of the cerebellar nuclei, which originate at around E9–E12 (Miale and Sidman, 1961; Wang and Zoghbi, 2001; Fink et al., 2006; Millen and Gleeson, 2008; Yeung et al., 2014), and the unipolar brush cells, which are generated from E13.5 to the early neonatal period in mice (Hevner, 2006) and E15.5 to the neonatal period in rats (Mugnaini and Floris, 1994; Sekerková et al., 2004).

Rhombic lip derived Math1 positive cells differentiate at the interface of VZ and roof plate. This depends both on DELTA-NOTCH signaling (from VZ) and direct contact with the Lmx1a- and Gdf7-positive non-neural cells of the roof plate (Butts et al., 2014). The Math1 gene, which encodes a bHLH transcription factor, is expressed in glutamatergic cells of the rhombic lip as well as in proliferating granule cell precursors in the EGZ. Targeted disruption of this gene results in complete loss of the granule cell lineage and disruption of rhombic lip-derived cerebellar nuclei neurons (Wang and Zoghbi, 2001; Machold and Fishell, 2005; Fink et al., 2006). Recently it was shown that Wntless (Wls) is expressed in the interior face of the rhombic lip, complementary to and independent of Math1, which is localized to the exterior face of the rhombic lip (Yeung et al., 2014). Barhl1 is a mouse homeobox gene that plays a role in cerebellum development. It is activated by the transcription factor MATH1, possibly in response to BMP. Expression of Barhl1 mRNA was studied in human Carnegie stage 8, 12, 16, and 17 embryos (18 to 41 post-ovulatory days) and fetuses at 17, 22, and 24 weeks of gestation. Barhl1 was restricted to the central nervous system, with strong expression in the rhombic lip at stage 17 and continued expression in the EGZ and granular layer to 24 weeks (Lopes et al., 2006).

In glutamatergic neurons, Pax6 is downstream in the MATH1 pathway (Yeung et al., 2014), which includes sequential expression of Tbr2, NeuroD, and Tbr1 (Stoykova and Gruss, 1994; Bulfone et al., 1995, 1999; Engelkamp et al., 1999; Lee et al., 2000). MATH1 regulates Tbr1 expression (Wang et al., 2005) and is necessary for Tbr2 and Pax6 expression in the cerebellum (Hevner et al., 2006). Similarities between cerebrum and cerebellum suggest that these transcription factors may play conserved roles in a general program of glutamatergic neurogenesis. In the developing brain, Neurogenin2, a bHLH transcription factor, regulates glutamatergic differentiation of early-born neurons and expression of Tbr1 and Tbr2 mRNA (Schuurmans et al., 2004; Guillemot et al., 2006).

External germinal zone

The external germinal zone (EGZ) is a temporary population of proliferating cerebellar cells located at the subpial surface of the developing cerebellum. The vast majority of cells from the EGZ produce granule cells during the postnatal period in rodents. In rats, the EGZ volume peaks at 15 days postnatal and disappears by 24 days (Heinsen, 1977). A subset of Golgi cells is also derived from EGZ (Chung et al., 2011). In the presence of both BMPs and Sonic hedgehog (SHH), a small proportion of the granule cell precursors differentiate into astroglial cells (Okano-Uchida et al., 2004). In rhesus monkeys, basket and stellate neurons differentiate adjacent to the EGZ (Rakic, 1972). Furthermore, the granule cell precursors in EGZ are attached to the basal lamina of external limiting membrane subpialy. The contact to the basal membrane apparently is an important factor of amplifying precursors cell in EGZ and may act corresponding to the cortical intermediate precursors in the subventricular (Butts et al., 2014).

The EGZ can be divided into an outer layer (proliferating zone) and an inner layer (post-mitotic granule cells). The post-mitotic granule cells develop axons that extend among the parallel fibers in the developing molecular layer while the somata migrate inward to the granular layer. The molecular signals involved in granule cell migration and differentiation have been reviewed recently (Chédotal, 2010; Furuichi et al., 2011).

SHH-signaling is an important driver of granule cell progenitor proliferation (Wechsler-Reya and Scott, 1999; Lewis et al., 2004; Haldipur et al., 2012). SHH secreted into the cerebrospinal fluid promotes precursor proliferation and regulates rhombic lip development and cell fate decision. Later in development, SHH acts on migrating cells in white matter (Butts et al., 2014). Purkinje cells secrete SHH starting at ~E18.5 in the mouse cerebellum (Corrales et al., 2004). SHH mRNA is detected in Purkinje cells and EGZ beginning at approximately 17 weeks gestation in human cerebellum (Aguilar et al., 2012). SHH immunoreactivity in Purkinje neurons is strong from 28 to 39 weeks and is absent by 4 months postnatal. Its receptors patched (PTC) and smoothened (SMO) and their effector GLI-2 exhibit similar temporal patterns of immunoreactivity in the EGZ (Corrales et al., 2004; Haldipur et al., 2011).

BMI1, which promotes cell proliferation, is expressed strongly in the cells of the EGZ at ~E16.5 during mouse cerebellar development. BMI1 is expressed in parallel with N-MYC and cyclin D2 in the EGZ of human cerebellum from 17 weeks gestation to 2 months postnatal (Leung et al., 2004).

Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) receptors appear to be important for cerebellar development in rodents. Basille et al. (2006) showed that the mRNA for receptors PAC1 and VPAC1 (but not VPAC2) and the PACAP binding capacity are abundant from 16 to 24 weeks gestation in the EGZ and granular layer. They disappear from EGZ after birth during the period of regression but increase in the granular layer continuing into adulthood. The data suggest that PAPAP might be neurotrophic in the EGZ, but other functions are implied in the mature granular layer.

Zic (zinc finger of the cerebellum) gene is expressed in the dorsal cranial neural tube and somites of E9.5 mouse. Granule cells and their precursors all express ZIC family members, even in adult stages in cerebellum (Houtmeyers et al., 2013). ZIC was detected by immunohistochemistry in the nuclei of EGZ and granular layer cells in cerebella from human fetuses at 21 and 37 weeks gestation and in a subpopulation of granular layer cells at 6 years postnatal (Yokota et al., 1996).

Granule cell precursor proliferation seems to be regulated by non-autonomous WNT and bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) pathway signals in the EGZ (Butts et al., 2014). It is suggested that cerebellar granule neurons require appropriate levels of WNT signaling to balance their proliferation and differentiation (Lorenz et al., 2011). Activation of the WNT/β-catenin signaling pathway results in severely inhibited proliferation and premature differentiation of cerebellar granule neuron precursors independent of BMP signaling (Butts et al., 2014). It seems WNT and BMP signaling pathways are antagonist to the SHH signaling pathway in the regulation of EGZ proliferation.

The pia mater also plays a role in granule cell proliferation and probably in inward migration along Bergmann glia. As granule cells mature, growing dendrites establish glomeruli (synaptic complexes) within the granule cell layer. This exuberant proliferative activity is accompanied by apoptosis, with dying cells scattered throughout the developing cerebellar cortex (Silbereis et al., 2010).

Rostral germinal zone

Using quail-chick chimeras, Hallonet et al. demonstrated that the rostromedial end of the cerebellar primordium originates from caudal alar plate of the mesencephalon (Hallonet and Alvarado-Mallart, 1997). However, others reported that all cerebellar cells are born from Otx2-negative tissue (Millet et al., 1996) and thus the mesencephalic source remains a controversial issue. It has been shown during early development that En1/En2, Wnt1, Fgf8 and Acp2 are expressed in the caudal mesencephalon with extension to the rostral rhombencephalon (Millen et al., 1995; Hallonet and Alvarado-Mallart, 1997; Bailey et al., 2013). Point mutation in lysosomal acid phosphatase 2 (Acp2) leads to severe abnormalities in anterior cerebellum (Bailey et al., 2013, 2014). It has been suggested that mes/rhombencephalon junction in early development may be correspond to the location at lobule VI–VIII in the adult cerebellum (Hallonet and Alvarado-Mallart, 1997). Corticogenesis of the CZ (i.e., lobule VI/VII) is relatively delayed in mouse cerebellum (Marzban et al., 2008). In some species it can be indicated by a cortical area in paramedian sulcus of lobule VI–VII (e.g., bat (Kim et al., 2009); star-nosed mole (Marzban et al., 2014). Rostral and caudal to lobules VI–VII, the pattern of genes such as En1, En2, Wnt-7 and Gli are differentially expressed (Hallonet and Alvarado-Mallart, 1997). In adult cerebellum, the striped pattern of gene expression is interrupted by the CZ (Marzban et al., 2003; Bailey et al., 2013). Mutation in some genes such as meander Tail—(Ross et al., 1990) and Nax mutant—(Bailey et al., 2014) causes defects in the anterior cerebellum, while mutation of other genes (e.g., Lmx1a) are associated with defects in the posterior cerebellum (Chizhikov et al., 2006b). In sum, current data indicate that the RGZ plays an essential role in development of anterior cerebellum and is governed by genes distinct from those in the caudomedial germinal zone.

Anterolateral border of the cerebellar plate

The anterolateral border of the cerebellar primordium has no role as germinal zone, but does serve as a migratory route for precerebellar nuclei neurons from the rhombic lips. In addition, it provides a pathway for afferent and efferent axons prior to establishment of the cerebellar peduncles.

Cell migration during cerebellum development

Migration of postmitotic neurons from their germinal location is a fundamental cellular event essential for building the nervous system (Wingate, 2001). In the developing cerebellum, neurons are born in multiple germinal zones and migrate to their destination using radial or tangential migratory pathways. Bergmann glia are specialized radial glia in the cerebellum (Yamada and Watanabe, 2002; Bellamy, 2006). They arise from the VZ, sending apical processes to the subpial surface and aligning their somata next to the Purkinje cell layer. Electron microscopic studies show Bergmann fibers in the EGZ by E15 in mice and E17 in rat (Del Cerro and Swarz, 1976), and by 9 weeks gestation in humans (Choi and Lapham, 1980). Immunohistochemical staining for tenascin shows radial glial fibers traversing the entire cerebellar primordium in E13 mice (Yuasa, 1996). Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) is expressed by human Bergmann glia as early as 12 weeks gestation (Bell et al., 1989). Notch1, Notch2, and RBPj genes play crucial roles in the development of Bergmann glia (Hiraoka et al., 2013).

In mouse cerebellum, Purkinje cell and other inhibitory cortical precursor cells exit the cell cycle in the VZ and migrate outward along the radial-glial-fiber system to establish a plate of immature neuronal cells in the middle of the anlage after E13 (Hatten and Heintz, 1995). The Purkinje cell plate is initially several cell layers thick and disperses into a monolayer after birth in mouse (Komuro and Yacubova, 2003; Xu et al., 2013) and by ~28 weeks gestation in human fetus (Zecevic and Rakic, 1976). Cortical inhibitory interneurons arise from the VZ and migrate outward to their final destinations in the molecular layer and the granule cell layer.

Proliferating cells derived from rhombic lip migrate rostrally to establish the EGZ. Continued proliferation of EGZ cells generates an extensive pool of precursors that spread subpially across the dorsum of the cerebellar anlage. The unipolar brush cells bypass subpial migratory pathway proximally and direct deep to the core of developing cerebellum, while large projection cerebellar nuclei neurons and granule cells migration continue rostrally in subpial stream pathway toward the distal (rostral) end of cerebellar primordium. In midway, the cerebellar nuclei neurons precursors change direction to reach the nuclei transitory zone (Figure 1).

Rhombic lip derivative precursors migrate tangentially independent to the glial guidance in subpial stream pathway (Wingate, 2001). The migrating cells exhibit a characteristic unipolar morphology where a single leading process appears to guide migration. Although molecular mechanism that induce granule cells switch on to their mode of migration in tangential and radial phases poorly understood, a number of candidate guidance molecules are expressed at the rhombic lip and EGZ such as ERBB4, UNC5H. Netrin has a general role in guiding migration of rhombic lip derivatives cell and in the formation of the EGZ (Wingate, 2001). Granule cell precursors express Unc5H receptors under the strict control of PAX6. Disruption of UNC5H3 signaling results in a rostral cerebellum malformation in which granule cells extend ectopically into the caudal mesencephalon. The roof plate-derived chemorepellent (such as BMP) may be involved in the migration probably by inducing Math1 expression and directing the precursor processes away from the rhombic lip (Wingate, 2001; Butts et al., 2014).

Before their inward migration, within the outer layer of EGZ, granule cell precursors proliferate every 18–20 h and postmitotic cells remain in place for 24–48 h. During this postmitotic period the cells tangentially migrate to the inner layer of the EGZ and begin to extend their horizontal processes. At the interface of the EGZ and the molecular layer, the speed of migration is slowest and is accompanied by extension of processes into the molecular layer. In the molecular layer, the granule cells are elongated as they migrate radially along Bergmann glial processes, traversing the molecular layer in about 10–11 h to reach the Purkinje cell layer (Komuro and Yacubova, 2003). Here the cells separate from the Bergmann glial cells processes and their somata become spherical (Xu et al., 2013). Lamellipodia and filopodia at the distal portion of the leading process actively search for guidance cues. In the granule layer, granule cells migrate radially towards the bottom of the layer without any association with glial cells. Migration is completed when the tip of a leading process approaches the white-matter (Jiang et al., 2008).

Ca2+ signaling functions as a mediator for controlling granule cell migration (Komuro and Rakic, 1996); NMDA receptor activity significantly increases the rate of granule cell movement (Kumada et al., 2006). Molecules important for interaction with Bergmann glial processes include astrotactin, tenascin, fibronectin, neuregulin (NRG) and its receptor ERBB4, and the small G-actin-binding protein profilin1 (Rust et al., 2012).

The transcription factor CUX1 is an essential regulator in proliferating and migrating granule cells (Topka et al., 2014). Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) positively regulates the proliferation, migration of granule cells. However, proBDNF negatively regulates granule cell migration mediated by P75 neurotropin receptor (Xu et al., 2011). In human fetal cerebellum, the EGZ cells express the low affinity nerve growth factor (NGF) receptor from 15 weeks gestation to 8 months postnatal and Purkinje cells are immunoreactive from 15–40 weeks gestation (Yachnis et al., 1993). The high affinity NGF receptors (TrkA, TrkB, TrkC) are expressed by a few EGZ and granular layer cells and by Purkinje neurons into adulthood (Quartu et al., 2003a,b).

Other molecules reported to be involved in granule cells migration include neurotrophin-3, stromal-cell-derived factor 1α (SDF-1α), ephrin-B2, tissue plasminogen activator, platelet-activating factor, cyclin-dependent kinase 5, and 9-O-acetyl GD3 (Kaslin and Brand, 2013; Butts et al., 2014). These activate distinct signaling pathways such as Ca2+ signaling, cyclic nucleotide signaling, and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling.

Finally, the extracellular glycoprotein, reelin, plays a critical role in cerebellar corticogenesis (summarized in Figure 2). In mice, reelin is expressed in the subpial stream of migrating rhombic lip derived cerebellar nuclei neurons at ~E13.5 and later in EGZ cells. Reelin promotes Purkinje cells precursor migration toward the pial surfaces (Miyata et al., 2010). Postnatally, reelin signaling triggers the dispersal of the Purkinje cells into the adult monolayer. Reelin binds with the Purkinje cell receptors very low-density lipoprotein receptor (VLDLR) and apolipoprotein E receptor 2 (APOER2). Reelin signaling is followed by phosphorylation of an intracellular cytosolic adaptor protein, DAB1 (Larouche et al., 2008; Miyata et al., 2010). However, Reln null mice have a small subset of Purkinje cells in monolayer suggesting that the reelin signaling pathway is not exclusively responsible for Purkinje cell migration.

Figure 2

Development of cerebellum and corticogenesis. (A–B) Dorsal and lateral aspect of the mouse embryo at embryonic day E10-E11, showing outline of cerebellar primordium (indicated by arrows) and mesencephalon (midbrain) (m). (C) Schematic illustration of the developing cerebellum at about E11 indicates ventricular germinal zone (green) and genes are involved in neurogenesis of GABAergic neurons such as Purkinje cells. Rhombic lip is germinal zone that under control of genes such as Wls, Bmp, math1, pax6, and Lmx1a generate almost all glutamatergic neurons in cerebellum. Rhombic lip derived produce cerebellar nuclei neurons (red), and external germinal zones precursors (orange). An arrow from mesencephalon (m) indicates a germinal zone for group of cells derived from mesencephalon to the cerebellar primordium. (D) A section of cerebellum at around P4 indicate external germinal zone (EGZ) that after proliferation migrate through the Purkinje cells to the granular layer that is location of granule cells. Abbreviation; Iso: isthmic organizer, m: mesencephalon, EGZ: external germinal zone, ML: molecular layer, PCL: Purkinje cell layer, GL: granular layer, WM: white matter, 4thV: fourth ventricle, r: rostral, c: caudal, d: dorsal, v: ventral.

Apoptosis, autophagy and unfolded protein response

Apoptosis and cerebellum development

Programmed cell death (apoptosis) is a vital process present in different cell types, including neurons (summarized in Figure 3). The function of apoptosis in the developing nervous system seems to be the elimination of surplus neurons and establishment of correct synaptic connections (Catsicas et al., 1987; Oppenheim, 1991). Review articles make the extraordinary claim that approximately half of many types of neurons are eliminated (Johnson and Deckwerth, 1993; Raff et al., 1993). However, the primary data for cell death during mammalian cerebellar development have not been critically examined in detail.

Figure 3

Schematic Representation of Apoptosis. In general apoptosis divides into extrinsic and intrinsic pathway. Death receptors (like FAS) are involved in extrinsic pathway, which later can activate caspase-8. Caspase-8 activates caspase-3 in two separate ways (direct activation or activation via caspase-9). Stress signals and DNA damage triggers intrinsic apoptosis pathway via mitochondria. Intrinsic apoptosis (mitochondrial apoptosis) is divided to caspase-dependent or caspase-independent pathways.

The earliest descriptions of cell death in the developing cerebellum were based on morphologic features, typically nuclear pyknosis and fragmentation. In normal rats aged 1, 6, 12, and 21 days the mitotic index in the EGZ decreased from 2.7% to 0.7% and the pyknotic index ranged from 0.30 to 0.58%; the estimated total cell degeneration was 2.6% (Lewis, 1975). The ratio of dead cells to mitoses peaks at ~1% on day 10 in rats (Deo et al., 1979).The volume of the granular layer in rats peaks at ~25 days in rats, around the same time the EGZ disappears, and then diminishes by ~20%, reaching adult volume by ~50 days (Heinsen, 1977). Heinsen reported rare pyknotic cells but no phagocytosis and concluded that granular layer reduction was “mainly due to a decrease in the diameter of the granule cells and, to a lesser degree, perhaps to a distinct cell loss of these interneurons” (Heinsen, 1978). The pyknotic index in normal rat granular layer is <0.1% at 10, 14, and 21 days with dying cells most prevalent near the white matter at 10 days and near the Purkinje layer at 21 days (Rabié et al., 1977). Administration of 3H-thymidine to 9-day-old rats and subsequent analysis of mitotic activity and morphologic features of cell death led to the conclusion that the “decision to die” was made during the S phase of cell cycle and that a dead cell would be cleared in ~10 h (Deo et al., 1979). Administration of 14C-thymidine to 7, 12, and 16-day-old rats and subsequent analysis of tagged DNA 6 h or 5–9 days after administration showed no significant loss of DNA from the cerebellum at any of the ages. The authors concluded, “cell death, if it occurs at all, is probably less than 5% of total cells produced” (Griffin et al., 1978).

Caddy and Biscoe performed detailed neuron counts in mouse cerebellum and showed that the quantity of Purkinje cells increased from postnatal day 4 to 17 after which there was “no appreciable loss”. As was reported in rat, granule cells peaked at 17 days and then declined by ~20% by 26 days. Although they observed no morphologic signs of degeneration the authors did speculate on the role of programmed cell death (Caddy and Biscoe, 1979). It must be noted, however, that their data are based upon a single mouse at each time point (i.e., 6 total from 10 to 26 days) and therefore the result might not be reliable. In mouse cerebellum from 0 to 8 postnatal days the proportion of pyknotic (presumed dead or dying cells) was always <0.5%; most were located in the deep EGZ adjacent the molecular layer and it was estimated that they were eliminated in 4–7 h (Smeyne and Goldowitz, 1989).

More recently, “specific” markers of apoptotic cells have typically been used to study cell death. Wood and coworkers claimed that detection of T7 DNA polymerase was a valid marker of apoptosis-associated DNA fragmentation. In mouse cerebellum examined from postnatal day 5 to 30 they reported labeling in “scattered” EGZ cells at day 5, dense labeling at day 7, reduced labeling at day 9, and negligible labeling at day 21 (Wood et al., 1993). However, inspection of their images shows considerable background making unambiguous identification difficult. Furthermore, the detection method has not been used widely and therefore must be considered of limited value.

Using the TUNEL method, many investigators have confirmed the presence of dying cells in the immature mouse cerebellum, but there is a wide range in the reported quantities and considerable variability in the reporting methods. Earlier studies tended to report relative values per unit area rather than as proportions of total cells. In C57BL mice at 9 days only few cells (<10 per 2 mm length of EGZ and <5 per 2 mm of granular layer) were TUNEL labeled (Wullner et al., 1995). A more recent study reported ~55000 TUNEL positive cells per mm3 of EGZ in 9 day mouse cerebellum (Kubera et al., 2012). Where TUNEL positive cells in the mouse cerebellum have been counted, the proportion is typically low; e.g., <0.5% at 10 days in the EGZ (McNamee et al., 2002). In 3-day-old mice, only rare Purkinje neurons are immunoreactive for activated (cleaved) caspase 3 (and presumably undergoing apoptosis); these tend to be surrounded by microglia (Marín-Teva et al., 2004). Only rare cells in the day 7 mouse EGZ are positive for activated caspase 3 (Cabrera et al., 2014). In a clearly quantified study of activated caspase 3 immunoreactivity in mouse cerebellum from birth to 70 days, Cheng et al. reported peak labeling of 5.9% in the EGZ at 8 days, 5.9% in the Purkinje layer at 3 days, and 2.4% in the granular layer at 9 days (Cheng et al., 2011). In the granular layer of 7 days mice, activated caspase 3 counts are approximately double the TUNEL counts (Taranukhin et al., 2010). One group has reported that cleaved caspase 3 might have non-apoptotic functions in developing rat Bergmann glia; therefore without colocalization studies, reported values of caspase 3 might overestimate the number of apoptotic cells (Oomman et al., 2005; Finckbone et al., 2009). The same group reported that cleaved caspase 3 immunoreactivity in the EGZ of day 8–17 rat cerebellum has no association with TUNEL (Oomman et al., 2004), however the nearly ubiquitous labeling seems potentially artifactual despite the authors’ extensive controls.

Tanaka and Marunouchi studied rat cerebellum from 3 to 15 postnatal days and observed the greatest number of TUNEL positive EGZ cells at 9 days. Double label studies led them to conclude that most dying cells were in the proliferative phase rather than post mitotic (Tanaka and Marunouchi, 1998). In 3-day rat cerebellum, TUNEL positive cells were most abundant in the granular layer (~4 cells/mm2 tissue area) and were much less frequent than mitotic cells that had incorporated bromodeoxyuridine (~1200 cells/mm2 tissue area) (Vidovic et al., 2008). Krueger et al. reported in rats that at day 7 almost half the cells in white matter are TUNEL positive and most appear to be astrocytes. Despite their claim to do a similar study on granule cells, those data do not appear to have been published (Krueger et al., 1995). Quantitation of TUNEL in rat cerebella showed <1% of cells at 14 and 21 days and no labeling at 28 days, although the authors did not specify the anatomical localization of the positive cells (Wang et al., 2012b). Another group reported ~1% of granular layer cells to be TUNEL positive in 16 day rats (Sinha et al., 2009).

Lossi and coworkers (Lossi et al., 2002a,b; Lossi and Merighi, 2003) studied cell death in the rabbit cerebellum at day 5 postnatal, when EGZ proliferation is maximal, using a variety of markers. TUNEL labeling was not counted, but one of their images (Figure 1E; Lossi et al., 2002b) shows an estimated 5% cells positive, especially in the outer proliferative region of the EGZ. Apoptotic cells are less abundant in the granular layer, peaking at day 10. Most cells appear to die within 12–24 h after proliferation and are subsequently engulfed by microglia. Cleaved caspase 3, 7, and 9 immunostaining is almost exclusively restricted to the granular layer while the substrate of activated caspase 3, poly-ADP-ribose polymerase-1 (PARP-1), is mainly identified in the EGZ (Lossi, 2004).

In summary, the data from human (considered in an earlier section) and animals (especially rodents) indicate that cell death occurs in the developing cerebellum to a limited extent, particularly in the EGZ among recently postmitotic cells and to a lesser extent in the granular layer. The reported extent to which this occurs varies widely, but overall it seems reasonable to estimate that a maximum 5% of granule cells and a smaller proportion of Purkinje cells are lost, although it must be noted that studies in the very early developmental stages are lacking. Even the so-called “specific” methods of TUNEL and activated caspase 3 detection have limitations and must be interpreted cautiously. Nevertheless, the fact is that some of the cells do die and therefore the molecular mechanisms are worth considering.

Many in vitro models have been used. Cerebellar granule cells undergo apoptosis when they are deprived of extracellular potassium (D’Mello et al., 1993). Transforming growth factor (TGF-β) β1, -β2, and -β3 accelerate apoptosis of these neurons when maintained in low physiological potassium medium as assessed the quantitative DNA fragmentation, viability, and nuclear morphology (de Luca et al., 1996). A P53-independent apoptotic pathway has been proposed for loss of cerebellar granule cells during development. Neuronal precursors still undergo apoptosis in the cerebellum of transgenic mice that lack functional p53 (Wood and Youle, 1995).

Autophagy and cerebellum development

Autophagy is a self-degradative lysosomal process used for degrading and recycling various cellular constituents (summarized in Figure 4; Klionsky, 2005; Massey et al., 2006; Yang and Klionsky, 2010). During development cells undergo phases of both quiescence and enhanced metabolism; therefore, they require the ability to change their protein content to rapidly adapt to adverse conditions. Autophagy could help renovate cells or modify their morphology (Cecconi and Levine, 2008). The complex ontogenesis and development of nervous system is especially sensitive to dysregulation of autophagy. An example is shown by the ULK1−/− (UNC-51-like kinase 1) mice phenotype. The deficiency in ULK1, an autophagic protein being involved in autophagosome initiation, causes abnormal growth cone and axon formation in the cerebellar granule neurons (Tomoda et al., 1999). The regulation of autophagy by ULK1 in the neurodevelopment remains to be understood (Di Bartolomeo et al., 2010). Atg7 (autophagy related 7) deficiency in mice is associated with severe neuronal loss from the cerebellar cortices (Komatsu et al., 2006). Genetic ablation of Atg7 causes dystrophy of Purkinje cell axon terminals in the deep cerebellar nuclei (DCN). Selective ablation of Atg5 or Atg7 genes in neurons leads to behavioral deficits associated with neuronal loss in the cerebellar cortices (Komatsu et al., 2006, 2007a,b). Axon terminal degeneration is observed when Atg7 is inactivated in the subpopulation of Purkinje cells (Komatsu et al., 2007b). Together with the ULK1-inactivation phenotype, the axon terminals seem to be very susceptible to autophagy impairment. The Apaf1 is a gene involved in the formation of apoptosome. When it is down regulated in vivo, cells of the cerebellar cortex undergo the autophagy (Moreno et al., 2006). These experiments suggest that autophagy is constitutively active and is a mandatory process for the survival and development of cerebellar cells (Rami, 2009).

Figure 4

Schematic Representation of Autophagy Pathway. Autophagy is recognized as a major tool to degrade damaged organelles and misfolded proteins via lysosomal pathway. Autophagy is an active flux which includes five different steps; introduction or initiation, phagosome nucleation, phagosome expansion and completion, phagosome and lysosme fusion (autophagolysosome formation), and finally degradation. It is a tightly regulated mechanism and several ATG molecules are included in its regulation.

Unfolded protein response (UPR) and cerebellar development

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is responsible for the synthesis and folding of proteins entering the secretary pathway (summarized in Figure 5). Many post-translational modifications that ensure protein function occur in this organelle (Denzel et al., 2002; Luo et al., 2006). A variety of physiological perturbations can interfere with processes of protein folding in the ER lumen, leading to the unfolded or misfolded protein accumulation, which is called “ER stress.” This stress triggers and activates an adaptive reaction, termed UPR, through which protein folding capacity increases and unfolded protein load decreases (Ni and Lee, 2007). These pathways of protein quality control are crucial for Purkinje cell survival (Zhao et al., 2005; Hara et al., 2006; Lee et al., 2006), and are related to the Marinesco-Sjögren Syndrome in humans (Anttonen et al., 2005; Senderek et al., 2005). A few studies directly support the role of UPR in the developing process of cerebellum. ORP150 is an ER protein that is upregulated in Purkinje cells during cerebellar development. Overexpression of ORP150 protein in Purkinje cells reduces the vulnerability of these cells to hypoxic and excitotoxic stress and increases their survival during cerebellar development (Kitao et al., 2004). BAP (SIL1) gene is another regulator of UPR, acting as a co-chaperone. Defects in BAP may result in Purkinje cell degeneration and ataxia (Anttonen et al., 2005; Senderek et al., 2005; Zhao et al., 2005, 2010). It is noteworthy that the cerebellum is particularly sensitive to BAP function loss and this could be explained by the observation that in the unaffected cerebellar lobules other co-chaperones can compensate for BAP function. Genetic manipulation of the GRP78 chaperone indicates that it too is very important for cerebellum development. Knock-in mice with a mutant secreted form of GRP78 show disordered layer formation in the cerebral cortex and cerebellum (Impagnatiello et al., 1998). It can be concluded that UPR potentially affects the development of cerebellum; however, there is still much room for elucidation of its role(s).

Figure 5

Schematic Representation of Unfolded Protein Response. Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is involved in the processing of proteins and is responsible for regulation of protein folding. ER chaperones (PERK, IRE1, ATF6) are deactivated in normal conditions while in stress conditions and increase of misfolded proteins in ER, they will be activated (UPR) and differently control protein biosynthesis, cell survival, protein translation and cell cycle.

Epigenetic mechanisms and cerebellar gene expression

Epigenetic mechanisms

Epigenetics refer to cellular mechanisms that control gene expression without directly altering the underlying genomic sequence (Liyanage et al., 2012). Epigenetic mechanisms include DNA methylation, the activity of non-coding small RNA molecules such as microRNAs (miRNAs) and long non-coding RNAs, in addition to histone post-translational modifications (Delcuve et al., 2009). Epigenetic mechanisms are continuous, dynamic and in many occasions reversible processes that are involved in development (Rastegar et al., 2004; Nolte et al., 2006; Barber and Rastegar, 2010), regulation of developmentally important genes (Lahuna et al., 2000; Rastegar et al., 2000a,b; Barber et al., 2013), stem cell differentiation (Huang et al., 2005; Kobrossy et al., 2006; Olynik and Rastegar, 2012), and human diseases (Sandhu et al., 2012; Zachariah and Rastegar, 2012). Several neurological disorders are caused by mutations in the genes encoding for epigenetic factors. Perhaps the most studied neuronal disorder that is linked to epigenetic factors is Rett Syndrome, a severe neurodevelopmental disorder caused by MECP2 (Methyl CpG Binding Protein 2) gene mutations. MECP2 gene encodes for a key epigenetic regulator in brain that binds to methylated DNA (Meehan et al., 1992; Liyanage and Rastegar, 2014) and its own expression is also controlled by DNA methylation (Liyanage et al., 2013; Olson et al., 2014). While MeCP2 has a wide expression pattern, its highest expression is detected in the brain and most MeCP2-associated diseases are neurological disorders (Ezeonwuka and Rastegar, 2014). Other examples include mutations in the ATRX gene, which encodes for a chromatin-remodeling factor and these mutations are associated with X-linked mental retardation syndromes (Gibbons and Higgs, 2000). Several studies have indicated that in such disorders, exogenous expression of the causative gene product or its downstream targets may lead to phenotypic rescue both in vitro and in vivo (Giacometti et al., 2007; Rastegar et al., 2009; Cobb et al., 2010).

Role of imprinting in cerebellar development

Genomic imprinting is an epigenetically regulated cellular mechanism by which expression of specific genes are regulated in a parent-of-origin manner. Two such genes, H19 and insulin-like growth factor 2 (Igf2), are imprinted in a reciprocal manner by methylation of specific alleles within the Igf2/H19 imprinting control region (ICR). The Igf2/H19 ICR contains four CTCF binding sites, which are methylation sensitive and capable of regulating the interaction between the promoter of Igf2 and enhancers located downstream of the H19 gene (Pidsley et al., 2012b). In both humans and mouse, DNA methylation of Igf2/H19 ICR correlates with the weight of the cerebellum (Pidsley et al., 2012a,b). Moreover, in humans, alleles inherited maternally are associated with an increase in the weight of the cerebellum as compared to paternally inherited alleles (Pidsley et al., 2012a).

DNA methylation and cerebellum

DNA methylation is an epigenetic modification that involves a covalent addition of a methyl group to cytosine residues (5 methylcytosine; 5mC), mostly in the context of CpG dinucleotides (Liyanage et al., 2014). DNA methylation can regulate gene expression directly, by inhibiting the binding of specific transcription factors, or indirectly by the recruitment of factors that bind to methylated DNA, such as MeCP2. Another epigenetic modification that has recently attracted much attention is DNA hydroxymethylation (5hmC) (Liyanage et al., 2014).

DNA methylation profiling across various brain regions have indicated that cerebellar genes are hypomethylated in comparison to prefrontal, occipital, and temporal regions of the cortex. Consequently, genes within the cerebellum show higher expression levels as compared to the cerebral cortex (Xin et al., 2010). Within the cerebellar granule cells, 5hmC levels have been shown to increase between P7 to adult in mice. As compared to the hippocampus, cerebellum also showed a significant increase in 5hmC levels from 6 weeks to one year, suggesting brain region specific age-related alterations in 5hmC levels (Szulwach et al., 2011). In both mouse and human cerebellum, 5hmC-enriched loci were mostly intragenic, with greater enrichment being evident on exons than introns. Enrichment of 5hmC levels were also observed in short interspersed class elements. However, in contrast to mouse cerebellum, there was a lack of significant enrichment on long terminal repeats (Szulwach et al., 2011).

Changes in cerebellar hydroxymethylation have been associated with specific disorders. One of the first neuronal disorders to be associated with cerebellar hydroxymethylation was Rett Syndrome, caused by mutations in the X-linked MECP2 (Amir et al., 1999; Liyanage and Rastegar, 2014). Alternative splicing of MEPC2/Mecp2 leads to the formation of two isoforms, MeCP2E1 and MeCP2E2 (Kriaucionis and Bird, 2004; Mnatzakanian et al., 2004; Zachariah et al., 2012; Olson et al., 2014; Yasui et al., 2014). Comparative studies on the expression of the two isoforms have revealed differential expression patterns in various brain regions, with MeCP2E2 showing selective enrichment in the cerebellum and olfactory bulb (Zachariah et al., 2012; Olson et al., 2014). Szulwach et al. demonstrated that cerebellar 5hmC levels exhibit negative correlation with Mecp2 dosage in mouse models of Rett Syndrome and MECP2 duplication (Szulwach et al., 2011).

Altered cerebellar 5hmC levels have been associated with fragile X syndrome, a monogenic autism spectrum disorder. Fragile X syndrome is caused by mutations leading to the expansion of a CGG repeat within the 5′ untranslated region of fragile X mental retardation gene 1 (FMR1) (Darnell and Klann, 2013). The resulting expansion leads to DNA methylation-mediated transcriptional silencing of Fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP). A comparison of 5hmC levels in FMRP targets within cerebellum revealed an enrichment of 5hmC in FMRP targets. FMRP targets also showed strong association with both stable and dynamic hydroxymethylated DNA, suggesting a critical role of 5hmC in FMRP function (Wang et al., 2012a).

Another disorder associated with the FMR1 gene is Fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS), a neurodegenerative disorder associated with expansion of multiple CGG repeats (premutations) located within the gene (Hagerman et al., 2001). FXTAS leads to Bergmann gliosis, Purkinje cell death and cerebellar degeneration (Greco et al., 2006). Yao et al. observed a global reduction of 5hmC in the cerebellum of a mouse model of FXTAS. Analysis of the alteration in 5hmC distribution within the same mouse model revealed that the reduction of 5hmC was within the gene body. However, increased 5hmC levels were observed in several repetitive classes, including simple repeats, long terminal repeats and short interspersed nuclear elements (Yao et al., 2014). These studies indicate the significance of DNA methylation, 5hmC levels, and epigenetic modifications for cerebellar development and function that warrant further investigation for the role of 5mC and 5hmC in other cerebellar disorders.

Role of miRNAs in cerebellar development

miRNAs are small non-coding regulatory RNAs that are found ubiquitously in animal cells. miRNAs are usually encoded in the introns of coding regions or within intergenic regions. One single miRNA may have numerous target genes, and therefore can be very potent gene regulatory mechanisms. The functions of miRNAs have been mostly correlated to the negative regulation of gene expression (Carthew and Sontheimer, 2009; Eulalio et al., 2012). miRNAs are known to regulate several transcription factors that are critical for normal brain developmental and function and altered expression of miRNAs have been linked to several neuronal disorders (Follert et al., 2014; Sun and Shi, 2014). Several groups have reported enrichment of specific miRNAs within the cerebellum. For instance, Olsen et al. reported miR-206 and miR-497 being expressed at significantly higher levels in the adult cerebellum compared to other brain regions in rats. The same group reported that miR-221 family members (miR-221 and miR-222) are selectively reduced compared to other brain regions such as amygdala and hippocampus (Olsen et al., 2009). In mice, on the other hand, Bak et al. reported that miR-195, miR-497, and miR-30b are enriched in the mouse cerebellum (Bak et al., 2008) whereas Hohjoh and Fukushima reported cerebellar enrichment of miR-16, -miR-34a, in addition to miR-195 (Hohjoh and Fukushima, 2007).

The critical role of miRNAs in cerebellar development was elegantly demonstrated by Schaefer et al., who reported that cell-specific ablation of Dicer, an endonuclease necessary for miRNA generation, results in cerebellar Purkinje cell death as well as degeneration of the cerebellum (Schaefer et al., 2007). Phenotypically, ablation of Dicer specifically in Purkinje cells leads to an ataxic gait, indicative of cerebellar dysfunction. In 2011, Tao et al. demonstrated that deletion of Dicer in astroglia leads to widespread granule cell apoptosis and degeneration of Purkinje cell dendrites at a late postnatal stage (P55–P65) (Tao et al., 2011). The same study reported that deletion of Dicer altered the cerebellar astrocytic transcriptome at a pre-symptomatic stage, causing selective downregulation of genes associated with mature astrocyte functions, with the inverse effect on genes related to immature/reactive astrocyte genes. Another group also reported that deletion of Dicer1 disrupts the phenotype of Bergmann glia within the cerebellum and decreases the expression of its markers (Kuang et al., 2012). These studies suggest that optimal miRNA generation by both astrocytes and neurons are necessary for proper cerebellar function and development.

Cerebellum involvement in autism and the associated epigenetic control

Abnormalities in the cerebellum have been reported in more than 95% of post mortem examinations of autistic individuals (Delong, 2005). A reduction in the number of Purkinje neurons is the most widely reported neuropathology, along with cerebellar hypoplasia, (Courchesne et al., 1988; Courchesne, 1997; Palmen et al., 2004; DiCicco-Bloom et al., 2006). Stereological analysis of Purkinje cells in the cerebellum of 14 autistic individuals age 4 to 60 years showed a 25% reduction in number and a 24% reduction in density compared to controls (Wegiel et al., 2014). In vivo studies by MRI in autistic children have also shown a reduction in the cerebellar vermal volume (Webb et al., 2009). Decreased cerebellar volume has been reported in Asperger’s syndrome and Rett syndrome, two disorders sharing many overlapping phenotypes with classical autism (Oldfors et al., 1990; Murakami et al., 1992; Hallahan et al., 2009).

At the molecular level, several genes with known roles in cerebellar development are associated with autism. Examples of such genes include engrailed 2 (EN2) and mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET) receptor tyrosine kinase (Fatemi et al., 2012; Rogers et al., 2013). In animal models, altered expression of En2 and Met has been associated with reduction in the cerebellar volume and cerebellar hypoplasia (Ieraci et al., 2002; Kuemerle et al., 2007; Provenzano et al., 2014). EN2 expression is known to be epigenetically regulated by multiple mechanisms including DNA hydroxymethylation (James et al., 2014) and miRNAs (Guibinga et al., 2012). A recent study on cerebellum samples from autistic patients indicated that increased 5hmC levels on EN2 promoter correlated with its increased expression. This study also reported a global increase in 5mC and 5hmC levels in the cerebellum of autistic patients (James et al., 2014). Furthermore MeCP2, a well-characterized epigenetic regulator, controls the allele-specific expression of MET (Plummer et al., 2013). These studies highlight the complex mechanisms by which epigenetic regulatory networks contribute to autistic phenotypes.

Mouse models of cerebellum maldevelopment

Given the complexity of the human brain and the many genes that function during neural development, it is not surprising that we currently have a limited understanding of the mechanisms of brain diseases. Spontaneous mutations along with engineered gene knockouts and transgenic mice provided important models to study cerebellum. During the last several decades, mutant mice have significantly improved our knowledge of cerebellar development, cytoarchitecture, function, and disease. The selenoproteins are important in postmitotic neurons of the developing cerebellum, and mutations in these genes cause cerebellar hypoplasia as occurring in neurodevelopmental syndrome called progressive cerebello-cortical atrophy (PCCA; Wirth et al., 2014). SDF-1/CXCR4 signaling plays an important role in neuronal cell migration and brain development. Mutation in Cxcr4 gene causes neurodevelopmental disorder of granule cells and Purkinje cells that leads to the motor defects in null mice (Huang et al., 2014). Animal models for autism spectrum disorder and schizophrenia that selectively target the cerebellum has been recently reviewed (Shevelkin et al., 2014).

Mutant mice are useful models for rescue experiments that might lead to significant future applications of gene therapy (Marmolino and Manto, 2010; Sajan et al., 2010). Spontaneous mutant and recent transgenic mouse models whose main characteristics are cerebellar defects are summarized in Table 2.

Table 2

Mutant and transgenic mice with cerebellar abnormalities and relevant human disease.

Mouse model/gene	Function	Developmental defect	Relevant	References human disease
Staggerer/RORα	Retinoid-related orphan receptor α	Small cerebellum, Purkinje and granule cells degeneration	NA	Boukhtouche et al. (2006), Gold et al. (2007), Sajan et al. (2010)
Lurcher/Grid2	Delta 2 ionotropic glutamate receptor	Degeneration of Purkinje, granule cells	NA	Zuo et al. (1997), Armstrong et al. (2011)
Leaner/Cacna1a	Voltage-dependent calcium channels	Purkinje and granule cell death	NA	Herrup and Wilczynski (1982)
Weaver/Girk2	Potassium inwardly rectifying channel	Purkinje and granule cell death	NA	Patil et al. (1995)
Reeler/Reln	Main factor of neuronal migration	Small cerebellum with no foliation and ectopic clusters of Purkinje cells	Lissencephaly	Miyata et al. (2010)
Scrambler/Dab1	Main regulator of reelin signaling pathway	Small cerebellum with no foliation and ectopic clusters of Purkinje cells	NA	Goldowitz et al. (1997)
Dreher/Lmx1a	LIM homeobox transcription factor 1, alpha	Posterior cerebellar defect/ mainly vermis hypoplasia	Dandy walker syndrome (Possible)	Chizhikov et al. (2006b)
Nax/Acp2	Lysosomal acid phosphatase 2	Neurocutaneous disorder/small cerebellum, severe anterior cerebellar disorder with an absent or hypoplastic vermis	GLHS (Possible)	Mannan et al. (2004), Bailey et al. (2014)
Cerebelless/ptf1a	Pancreas transcription factor 1, alpha	Lacks the cerebellar cortex	Cerebellar agenesis	Hoshino (2006a)
Cux1	Transcription factor	Granule cell precursors proliferation	Medulloblastoma	Topka et al. (2014)
SEPSECS	Selenoproteins; selenium transferase	Uncoordinated movements, cerebellar hypoplasia, Purkinje cell death and decreased granule cell proliferation.	Progressive cerebello-cortical atrophy (PCCA)	Wirth et al. (2014)
CXCR4	C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4	Purkinje cell dendritogenesis and axonal projection	NA	Huang et al. (2014)
CHD7	Chromodomain-helicase-DNA-binding protein 7	Alteration of Otx2, Gbx2 and fgf8 and cerebellar vermis development	CHARGE syndrome	Yu et al. (2013), Basson (2014)
CACNA1A	Voltage-gated calcium channel subunit α1A	Ataxia and cerebellar atrophy in transgenic mice	Spinocerebellar ataxia type 6 (SCA6)	Du et al. (2013)
CARP VIII/	Carbonic anhydrase-related protein VIII	Ataxia	Mental retardation and ataxia	Aspatwar et al. (2013)
CHMP1A	Chromatin modifying protein 1A	Pontocerebellar hypoplasia	Pontocerebellar hypoplasia	Mochida et al. (2012)
PDSS2	Decaprenyl-diphosphate synthase subunit 2; ubiquinone biosynthesis	Cerebellum hypoplasia by impairing cell migration and eliciting ectopic apoptosis	Ubiquinone deficiency in humans	Lu et al. (2012)
Fgf17	Fibroblast growth factors	Cerebellar vermis abnormalities	Dandy-Walker malformation	Zanni et al. (2011)
ZIC1; ZIC4	Transcription factors; zinc fingers in cerebellum	Cerebellar size and foliation	Dandy-Walker malformation	Blank et al. (2011)

Medulloblastoma, a tumor typically involving the cerebellum, is the most common high-grade brain tumor in childhood. Four morphologic subtypes correspond to different genetic signatures. A detailed review is beyond the scope of this manuscript, but it is worthwhile mentioning the postulated cell populations of origin for these tumors: Wnt subtype might arise from the lower rhombic lip progenitors, SHH subtype from the precursor cells of the EGZ, group 3 subtype from prominin1 expressing neural stem cells or EGZ, and group 4 subtype from an unknown population of stem or progenitor cells. Readers are referred to recent comprehensive reviews for more details (Manoranjan et al., 2013; Gajjar and Robinson, 2014; Wang and Wechsler-Reya, 2014).

Summary

Anatomically, the cerebellum development begins at around E8 to E9 and cerebellar germinal zones are established during E9 to E13–14 in mice and the late embryonic period in humans The germinal zone can be categorized in four groups: internal germinal zone (VZ), EGZ, caudomedial germinal zone (rhombic lip) and RGZ (mesencephalon). VZ is the source of Purkinje cells as well as all GABAergic interneurons in addition to a subset of non-neuronal cells. The EGZ is the source of all granular cells and some interneurons (such as Golgi) and non-neuronal cells. Granular cell are generated in the postnatal period of both humans and rodents. Many genes and signaling pathways are involved in the development, cell fate commitment, and migration of these cells in the cerebellum. Cell death occurs among a limited number of EGZ and granular cells. Recent studies have shown a critical role for epigenetic factors in cerebellum development. This includes DNA methylation and specific miRNAs in controlling various neural processes. The necessity of miRNAs for the survival of cerebellar neurons underscores its importance in cerebellar development. Furthermore, the various forms of DNA methylation are being recognized for their multifaceted role in regulating the precise expression levels of transcription factors essential for normal cerebellar function. The significance of these regulatory mechanisms has been further elucidated by studies that have linked several neurological disorders to alterations in epigenetic control of cerebellar gene expression.

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.