Embryonic neocortical HuR-immunoprecipitated mRNAs

Forkhead-box domain (Fox) containing family members are known autism spectrum associated genes. Here we show that, within the developing neocortex, the distinct phospho-states of a single RNA-binding protein, Hu antigen R, dictate mRNA translation and are sufficient to define distinct Foxp-characterized subpopulations of neocortical projection neurons. This demonstrates the importance of HuR phospho-states within the framework of the developing brain and further confirms the role of mRNA translation in autism pathogenesis. Fetal mouse neocortices were dissected, homogenized, and immunoprecipitated with either anti-HuR or IgG control antibodies. RNA was prepared from the immunoprecipitates and assayed on Affymetrix Mouse Exon microarrays.