Gli/Zic factors pattern the neural plate by defining domains of cell differentiation

All Zic proteins appear to recognize Gli binding sites. A nuclear protein is encoded by frog Zic2. Tests were undertaken to determine whether Zic2 is involved in defining neurogenic domains. The expression patterns of N-tubulin (N-tub) and Neurogenin1 (Ngnr1) were analyzed in injected embryos. Misexpression of Zic2 led to the unilateral loss of N-tub and Ngnr1. Neurogenesis suppression was found not to be due to inhibition of neural development. Zic2 is concluded to be a vertebrate pre-pattern gene.