TY - JOUR TI - FOXP2 exhibits projection neuron class specific expression, but is not required for multiple aspects of cortical histogenesis AU - Kast, Ryan J AU - Lanjewar, Alexandra L AU - Smith, Colton D AU - Levitt, Pat A2 - Cepko, Constance L A2 - Zoghbi, Huda Y A2 - Heiman, Myriam VL - 8 PY - 2019 DA - 2019/05/17 SP - e42012 C1 - eLife 2019;8:e42012 DO - 10.7554/eLife.42012 UR - https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.42012 AB - The expression patterns of the transcription factor FOXP2 in the developing mammalian forebrain have been described, and some studies have tested the role of this protein in the development and function of specific forebrain circuits by diverse methods and in multiple species. Clinically, mutations in FOXP2 are associated with severe developmental speech disturbances, and molecular studies indicate that impairment of Foxp2 may lead to dysregulation of genes involved in forebrain histogenesis. Here, anatomical and molecular phenotypes of the cortical neuron populations that express FOXP2 were characterized in mice. Additionally, Foxp2 was removed from the developing mouse cortex at different prenatal ages using two Cre-recombinase driver lines. Detailed molecular and circuit analyses were undertaken to identify potential disruptions of development. Surprisingly, the results demonstrate that Foxp2 function is not required for many functions that it has been proposed to regulate, and therefore plays a more limited role in cortical development than previously thought. KW - cortex KW - development KW - cell fate KW - axon guidance KW - neurogenesis JF - eLife SN - 2050-084X PB - eLife Sciences Publications, Ltd ER -