Transcriptional and posttranscriptional mechanisms of neuronal migration

Abstract Neocortical neurons will assemble into exquisite circuits that will ultimately drive multiple advanced functions such as higher cognition, voluntary motor behavior, and conscious sensory perception. To achieve this, a fundamental set of intricate events has to occur that will bring glutamatergic excitatory projection neurons (also called pyramidal neurons) and GABAergic inhibitory (also called interneurons) from their birth sites using two coexistent but distinct modes of migration. Neocortical glutamatergic neurons use radial migration, whereas GABAergic neurons use tangential migration. Each of the two migration mechanisms has multiple cellular steps that are regulated by intricate molecular events. This chapter summarizes current state of knowledge in transcriptional and posttranscriptional mechanisms involved in the control of radial and tangential migration of neocortical neurons.