Making sense out of spinal cord somatosensory development

• Published in: Development (Cambridge) Vol. 143; no. 19; pp. 3434 - 3448
• Main Authors: Lai, Helen C, Seal, Rebecca P, Johnson, Jane E
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England The Company of Biologists Ltd 01-10-2016
• Subjects: Animals; Humans; Interneurons - cytology; Interneurons - metabolism; Models, Theoretical; Neurons - cytology; Neurons - metabolism; Review; Sensation - genetics; Sensation - physiology; Spinal Cord - metabolism; Transcription Factors - genetics; Transcription Factors - metabolism; Nociception; Proprioception; Touch; Mechanosensation; Thermosensation; Itch; Pain; Neuroepithelium; Vertebrate neural tube; Pruriception; Dorsal spinal cord development; Transcription factor networks; Cutaneous
• ISSN: 0950-1991; 1477-9129
• DOI: 10.1242/dev.139592

The spinal cord integrates and relays somatosensory input, leading to complex motor responses. Research over the past couple of decades has identified transcription factor networks that function during development to define and instruct the generation of diverse neuronal populations within the spinal cord. A number of studies have now started to connect these developmentally defined populations with their roles in somatosensory circuits. Here, we review our current understanding of how neuronal diversity in the dorsal spinal cord is generated and we discuss the logic underlying how these neurons form the basis of somatosensory circuits.