@article{SongXiuHuangetal.2011,
  author    = {Song, Ning-Ning and Xiu, Jian-Bo and Huang, Ying and Chen, Jia-Yin and Zhang, Lei and Gutknecht, Lise and Lesch, Klaus Peter and Li, He and Ding, Yu-Qiang},
  title     = {Adult Raphe-Specific Deletion of Lmx1b Leads to Central Serotonin Deficiency},
  series = {PLoS ONE},
  volume    = {6},
  journal   = {PLoS ONE},
  number    = {1},
  doi       = {10.1371/journal.pone.0015998},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-133581},
  pages     = {e15998},
  year      = {2011},
  abstract  = {The transcription factor Lmx1b is essential for the differentiation and survival of central serotonergic (5-HTergic) neurons during embryonic development. However, the role of Lmx1b in adult 5-HTergic neurons is unknown. We used an inducible Cre-LoxP system to selectively inactivate Lmx1b expression in the raphe nuclei of adult mice. Pet1-CreER(T2) mice were generated and crossed with Lmx1b(flox/flox) mice to obtain Pet1-CreER(T2); Lmx1b(flox/flox) mice (which termed as Lmx1b iCKO). After administration of tamoxifen, the level of 5-HT in the brain of Lmx1b iCKO mice was reduced to 60\% of that in control mice, and the expression of tryptophan hydroxylase 2 (Tph2), serotonin transporter (Sert) and vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (Vmat2) was greatly down-regulated. On the other hand, the expression of dopamine and norepinephrine as well as aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase (Aadc) and Pet1 was unchanged. Our results reveal that Lmx1b is required for the biosynthesis of 5-HT in adult mouse brain, and it may be involved in maintaining normal functions of central 5-HTergic neurons by regulating the expression of Tph2, Sert and Vmat2.},
  language  = {en}
}