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bioRxiv · 10.1101/2023.02.01.526254

Single-Nucleus RNA Sequencing of Developing and Mature Superior Colliculus Identifies Neuronal Diversity and Candidate Mediators of Circuit Assembly

Ayupe, A. C.·Choi, J. S.·Beckedorff, F.·Mccartan, R.·Levay, K.·Park, K. K.
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Abstract

The superior colliculus (SC) is a sensorimotor structure in the midbrain that integrates input from multiple sensory modalities to initiate motor commands. It undergoes well-characterized steps of circuit assembly during development, rendering the mouse SC a popular model to study establishment and refinement of neural connectivity. Here we performed single nucleus RNA-sequencing analysis of the mouse SC isolated at various developmental time points. Our study provides a transcriptomic landscape of the cell types that comprise the SC across murine development with particular emphasis on neuronal heterogeneity. We used these data to identify Pax7 as a marker for an anatomically homogeneous population of GABAergic neurons. Lastly, we report a repertoire of genes differentially expressed across the different postnatal ages, many of which are known to regulate axon guidance and synapse formation. Our data provide a valuable resource for interrogating the mechanisms of circuit development, and identifying markers for manipulating specific SC neuronal populations and circuits.

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Ayupe, A. C., Choi, J. S., Beckedorff, F., Mccartan, R., Levay, K., Park, K. K.. 2023-02-02. Single-Nucleus RNA Sequencing of Developing and Mature Superior Colliculus Identifies Neuronal Diversity and Candidate Mediators of Circuit Assembly. https://doi.org/10.1101/2023.02.01.526254

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