The G protein-coupled receptor GPRC5B contributes to neurogenesis in the developing mouse neocortex

Abstract

Neural progenitor cells in the developing brain give rise to neurons and glia. Multiple extrinsic signalling molecules and their cognate membrane receptors have been identified to control neural progenitor fate. However, a role for G protein-coupled receptors in cell fate decisions in the brain remains largely putative. Here we show that GPRC5B, which encodes an orphan G protein-coupled receptor, is present in the ventricular surface of cortical progenitors in the mouse developing neocortex and is required for their neuronal differentiation. GPRC5B-depleted progenitors fail to adopt a neuronal fate and ultimately become astrocytes. Furthermore, GPRC5B-mediated signalling is associated with the proper regulation of β-catenin signalling, a pathway crucial for progenitor fate decision. Our study uncovers G protein-coupled receptor signalling in the neuronal fate determination of cortical progenitors.