MouseZic1Is Involved in Cerebellar Development

Abstract

Zicgenes encode zinc finger proteins, the expression of which is highly restricted to cerebellar granule cells and their precursors. These genes are homologs of theDrosophilapair-rule geneodd-paired. To clarify the role of theZic1gene, we have generated mice deficient inZic1. Homozygous mice showed remarkable ataxia during postnatal development. Nearly all of the mice died within 1 month. Their cerebella were hypoplastic and missing a lobule in the anterior lobe. A bromodeoxyuridine labeling study indicated a reduction both in the proliferating cell fraction in the external germinal layer (EGL), from 14 d postcoitum, and in forward movement of the EGL. These findings suggest thatZic1may determine the cerebellar folial pattern principally via regulation of cell proliferation in the EGL.