Dlx1&2 directly promote expression of Cxcl14 to control synapse development and interneuron survival.

Dlx1/2 directly promote Cxcl14 expression in mouse CGE- and MGE-derived cortical and olfactory bulb GABAergic interneurons, enabling synaptogenesis onto CINs.

• Why it matters: Dlx genes regulate forebrain GABAergic neuron development, but the specific downstream targets linking Dlx1/2 to interneuron survival and synapse formation were unclear.
• What they did: Using scRNA-Seq in Dlx1/2 conditional mutants, the study identified dysregulated Dlx1/2-regulated genes including Cxcl14 and Nr2f2, then mapped DLX2-bound putative regulatory elements for these targets.
• The result: A DLX-bound pRE driving Cxcl14 is strongly activated by Dlx1/2, and Cxcl14 is essential for synaptogenesis onto CINs, supporting a direct regulatory mechanism.