As a result of screening for genes that are selectively expressed in fetal mouse brain region by subtraction method, the present inventors obtained a cDNA fragment encoding Corl1. The expression of Corl1 was examined by RT-PCR, in situ hybridization, and immunostaining using polyclonal antibodies. The results demonstrated that Corl1 was especially expressed at a high level of selectively in the central nervous system during embryonic stages. The expression patterns of Corl1 determined using various markers in embryonic spinal cord were compared to identify types of neurons expressing Corl1. The results revealed that Corl1 was specifically expressed in spinal cord interneurons dI4, dI5, dILA, and dILB. Accordingly, the present invention provides for discrimination between dI4 and dI6, neurons which previously could only be discriminated based on developmental location, using the expression of Corl1 as an indicator.
Methods of Distinguishing Types of Spinal Neurons Using Corl1 Gene as an Indicator