Positive autofeedback regulation of Ptf1a transcription generates the levels of PTF1A required to generate itch circuit neurons

Peripheral somatosensory input is modulated in the dorsal spinal cord by a network of excitatory and inhibitory interneurons. PTF1A is a transcription factor essential in dorsal neural tube progenitors for specification of these inhibitory neurons. Thus, mechanisms regulating Ptf1a expression are key for generating neuronal circuits underlying somatosensory behaviors. Mutations targeted to distinct cis -regulatory elements for Ptf1a in mice,...