Expression data from E17.5 mouse brain regions

During brain development, layer 5 neurons distributed across most areas of the neocortex innervate the pontine nuclei (basilar pons) by the initiation and extension of collateral branches interstitially along their corticospinally extending axons. We used microarrays to compare gene expression profiles of brain areas that were projected (pontine nucleus, superior colliculus) and were not projected (cerebellum, olfactory bulb) by axon collaterals from the corticospinal tract in order to understand genetic programs that regulate axon collaterals formation. Each brain region was dissected out and subjected to total RNA preparation and hybridization on Affymetrix microarrays.