Spatial and single-nucleus transcriptomics decoding the molecular landscape and cellular organization of avian optic tectum

• Published in: iScience Vol. 27; no. 2; p. 109009
• Main Authors: Liao, Kuo, Xiang, Ya, Huang, Fubaoqian, Huang, Maolin, Xu, Wenbo, Lin, Youning, Liao, Pingfang, Wang, Zishi, Yang, Lin, Tian, Xinmao, Chen, Duoyuan, Wang, Zhenlong, Liu, Shiping, Zhuang, Zhenkun
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 16.02.2024; Elsevier
• Subjects: Biological sciences; Molecular neuroscience; Neuroscience; Omics; Transcriptomics; Molecular neuroscience; Neuroscience; Biological sciences; Transcriptomics; Omics
• ISSN: 2589-0042; 2589-0042
• DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.109009

The avian optic tectum (OT) has been studied for its diverse functions, yet a comprehensive molecular landscape at the cellular level has been lacking. In this study, we applied spatial transcriptome sequencing and single-nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq) to explore the cellular organization and molecular characteristics of the avian OT from two species: Columba livia and Taeniopygia guttata. We identified precise layer structures and provided comprehensive layer-specific signatures of avian OT. Furthermore, we elucidated diverse functions in different layers, with the stratum griseum periventriculare (SGP) potentially playing a key role in advanced functions of OT, like fear response and associative learning. We characterized detailed neuronal subtypes and identified a population of FOXG1+ excitatory neurons, resembling those found in the mouse neocortex, potentially involved in neocortex-related functions and expansion of avian OT. These findings could contribute to our understanding of the architecture of OT, shedding light on visual perception and multifunctional association. [Display omitted] •Stereo-seq constructs the spatial molecular map of avian OT•Spatial landscape reveals layer-specific signatures and functional pathways of OT•SGP is the pivotal layer associated with advanced functions in avian OT•A population of cells highly expressing FOXG1 emerges in avian OT Biological sciences; Neuroscience; Molecular neuroscience; Omics; Transcriptomics