Single cell RNA sequencing identifies early diversity of sensory neurons forming via bi-potential intermediates.

Faure L, Wang Y, Kastriti ME, Fontanet P, Cheung KKY, Petitpré C, Wu H, Sun LL, Runge K, Croci L, Landy MA, Lai HC, Consalez GG, de Chevigny A, Lallemend F, Adameyko I, Hadjab S

Nat Commun 11 (1) 4175 [2020-08-21; online 2020-08-21]

Somatic sensation is defined by the existence of a diversity of primary sensory neurons with unique biological features and response profiles to external and internal stimuli. However, there is no coherent picture about how this diversity of cell states is transcriptionally generated. Here, we use deep single cell analysis to resolve fate splits and molecular biasing processes during sensory neurogenesis in mice. Our results identify a complex series of successive and specific transcriptional changes in post-mitotic neurons that delineate hierarchical regulatory states leading to the generation of the main sensory neuron classes. In addition, our analysis identifies previously undetected early gene modules expressed long before fate determination although being clearly associated with defined sensory subtypes. Overall, the early diversity of sensory neurons is generated through successive bi-potential intermediates in which synchronization of relevant gene modules and concurrent repression of competing fate programs precede cell fate stabilization and final commitment.

Bioinformatics Support for Computational Resources [Service]

Eukaryotic Single Cell Genomics (ESCG) [Service]

PubMed 32826903

DOI 10.1038/s41467-020-17929-4

Crossref 10.1038/s41467-020-17929-4

pii: 10.1038/s41467-020-17929-4
pmc: PMC7442800