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COUP-TFI/Nr2f1 orchestrates intrinsic neuronal activity during cortical area patterning

The formation of functional cortical maps in the cerebral cortex results from a timely regulated interaction between intrinsic genetic mechanisms and electrical activity. To understand how transcriptional regulation influences network activity and neuronal excitability within the neocortex, we used mice deficient for the area mapping gene Nr2f1 (also known as COUP-TFI), a key determinant of somatosensory area specification during development. We found that cortical loss of Nr2f1 impacts on spontaneous network activity and synchronization at perinatal stages. In addition, we observed alterations in the intrinsic excitability and morphological features of layer V pyramidal neurons. Accordingly, we identified distinct voltage-gated ion channels regulated by Nr2f1 that might directly influence intrinsic bioelectrical properties during critical time windows of somatosensory cortex specification. Together, our data suggest a tight link between Nr2f1 and neuronal excitability in the developmental sequence that ultimately sculpts the emergence of cortical network activity within the immature neocortex.