PR-domain containing protein 12 (prdm12) is a downstream target of transcription factor zic1 during cellular differentiation in central nervous system.

Transcription factor, zic1 is an important regulator of neural plate patterning, formation of neural crest and cerebellar development, where its main function is neuronal cell differentiation. Among the genes identified, PR domain-containing 12 (prdm12) is a member of the prdm family and is expressed in the placode domain in the neurula stage. prdm12 is distinctly expressed in the dorsal part of the midbrain, trigeminal ganglion and the motor neuron in the spinal cord. prdm12 knockdown results ventralization of neural tube. zic1 knockdown results in a reduction of prdm12 expression in the midbrain, motor neuron and trigeminal ganglion, and overexpression of zic1 results in an expansion of prdm12 expression in the midbrain. zic1 activated wnt signaling is also a regulator of prdm12 expression in the midbrain. We propose that prdm12 is downstream of zic1 and a novel player in the gene regulatory network controlling brain cell differentiation, along with some ganglions in Xenopus. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.