Dlx1&2 Directly Promote Expression of Cxcl14 to Control Synapse Development and Interneuron Survival [ChIP-seq]

Here we focused on defining the key genes that are dysregulated in Dlx1/2 conditional mutants in mouse immature cortical GABAergic interneurons (CINs), and by identifying DLX-bound putative regulatory elements (pREs) of these Dlx-regulated genes. Within the Dlx-expressing lineage, some DLX-bound pREs were specific to CINs, others appeared to be constitutively bound; the latter class having activity in mature CINs.

One such pRE and its associated gene, Cxcl14, is strongly activated by Dlx1/2 and is essential for synaptogenesis onto CINs and for CIN survival.