The transcription factor Zfhx1a is expressed in the embryonic chick spinal cord glial cells

In Drosophila, the zing-finger homeodomain transcription factors zfh are expressed in many tissues including nervous system. Two vertebrate homologues, Zfhx1a and Zfhx1b have been characterized. These genes have been implicated in epithelial-mesenchymal transitions (EMT) in normal development as well as in tumorigenesis. However, the expression and the role of these genes in developing vertebrates nervous system is unknown. Here we describe the expression patterns of Zfhx1a in the embryonic chick spinal cord as determined by immunohistochemistry from days 1.5 (E1.5) to 14 (E14) of incubation. We have shown that Zfhx1a is feebly expressed in the neural progenitors in the ventricular zone (VZ) at around day 4. This expression becomes strong at E6. Starting from E7, we have observed that ZFHx1a+ cells stream away from the VZ and migrate to the mantle layer of the spinal cord. Double immunostaining shows no overlap between Zfhx1a and pan-neuronal markers (NeuN and HuC/D). However, there was extensive overlap between Zfhx1a and either oligodendrocyte markers (Olig2 and Nkx2.2) or astrocyte marker (GFAP). We conclude that Zfhx1a is expressed in glial cells in the chick embryo spinal cord.