This transcriptional pattern involved a constellation of genes that underlie axonal and pre-synaptic function. We call this signal the “Neurofilament IC,” because three of the most strongly contributing genes encode the neurofilament subunits of the axonal cytoskeleton (Nefl, Nefm, and Nefh) (Yuan et al., 2012). Other co-regulated genes included Syt2, Vamp1, and Cplx1 – which have roles in vesicle exocytosis – and Pvalb and Caln1, which bind presynaptic Ca2+ (Data S5). Genes contributing to this transcriptional pattern appear to maintain axon function and support or tune neurotransmitter release.
