The distribution of clones of neurons in the rat somatosensory cortex

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Summary We have labelled clones of neurons in the cerebral cortex of rats by introducing a retroviral vector, called BAG, into the cerebral vesicles of embryosin utero. BAG encodes the enzyme β-galactosidase, which acts as a histochemical marker for the subsequent identification of clones derived from infected precursor cells. We have studied the distribution of neuronal clones in the rat somatosensory cortex, and have asked whether clonally-related neurons were dispersed randomly. We have discovered that they are not. Rather, clones disperse predominantly such that the earliest progeny of ventricular zone cell are found posterolateral to later generated cells. This distribution fits with what would be expected were neurons dispersed passively in accordance with the lateral to medial cortical neurogenic gradient.