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Reposted by Laia Caudet-Segarra

Estelle Renaux @estellerenaux.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Happy to share the first paper from my postdoc @sagnera.bsky.social in collaboration with the brilliant PhD students @laiacaudet.bsky.social and @archimistry.bsky.social. In here, we investigate the role of miRNAs in the temporal patterning of the spinal cord. 🔗 www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...

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Laia Caudet-Segarra @laiacaudet.bsky.social · 20/03/2026

A huge thanks to all our colleagues for their feedback and support throughout this journey! 🥂✨ #DevelopmentalBiology #Neuroscience #SpinalCord #StemCells #ScienceAdvances

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Laia Caudet-Segarra @laiacaudet.bsky.social · 20/03/2026

Our study demonstrates that temporal transcription factor expression across distinct cardinal domains specifies neuronal subtype identities. ➡️These findings provide evidence that spinal neuron diversity is generated through the integration of shared spatial and temporal patterning programs.

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Laia Caudet-Segarra @laiacaudet.bsky.social · 20/03/2026

In the AS, the OPP sequence marks birth order: OC2 (early-deep), Pou2f2 (superficial), and Pou3f1 (late-deep). Pou2f2 loss reduces superficial Phox2a+ neurons and increases deep AS neurons and Pou2f2/Pou3f1 double+ cells, indicating re-specification to a later-born fate.

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Laia Caudet-Segarra @laiacaudet.bsky.social · 20/03/2026

MN columnar identities follow the OPP sequence: OC2 (LMCm), Pou2f2 (LMCl), and Pou3f1 (MMC). Pou2f2 null mutants exhibit reduced LMCl neurons, while Pou3f1 loss impairs MMC development, proving the role of these TFs in chronological column specification.

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Laia Caudet-Segarra @laiacaudet.bsky.social · 20/03/2026

EdU/BrdU birth-dating experiments confirm that this TF sequence correlates with the timing of neuronal birth. OC2 and Pou2f2 expression characterizes early-born populations, while Pou3f1 is expressed in neurons born at later stages.

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Laia Caudet-Segarra @laiacaudet.bsky.social · 20/03/2026

We’ve identified a conserved temporal program driven by three transcription factors: OC2 > Pou2f2 > Pou3f1 ➡️OPP sequence — expressed across multiple cardinal domains, including motor neurons and anterolateral system (AS).

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Laia Caudet-Segarra @laiacaudet.bsky.social · 20/03/2026

Our questions: Do spatial and temporal TF combinations specify molecularly and functionally defined neuronal subtypes? Are temporal TFs required for spinal projection neuron subtype specification? ⌛Here, we show that spatial patterning isn't the only factor— timing matters.

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Laia Caudet-Segarra @laiacaudet.bsky.social · 20/03/2026

Happy to share that our work with Kevin Sangster and Artur Kania, is finally out! @sagnera.bsky.social We investigated the mechanisms that drive the chronological diversification of spinal neuron subtypes within cardinal classes. 🧵👇 Read it here: www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...

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