PRDM13, a transcriptional repressor, is a crucial gene involved in neuronal subtype specification. It functions downstream of the transcription factor PTF1A, controlling GABAergic cell fate in the spinal cord and retina, and neurogenesis in the hypothalamus [2,3,4,6,7,8]. It also plays a role in maintaining the balance between inhibitory and excitatory neurons in the dorsal spinal cord [6,7].

In zebrafish, loss-of-function of prdm13 leads to a reduction in Purkinje cells numbers and absence of the inferior olive nuclei, and in mouse models, Prdm13-deficient mice show cerebellar hypoplasia, delayed pubertal onset, and abnormal visual sensitivities [1,2,4]. In the retina, Prdm13-knockout mice have a loss of Ebf3+ amacrine cells and altered calretinin expression [3]. In the dorsomedial hypothalamus (DMH) of mice, Prdm13+ neurons are involved in sleep control, as DMH-specific Prdm13-knockout mice recapitulate age-associated sleep alterations [5].

In conclusion, Prdm13 is essential for the development and function of the nervous system, including the cerebellum, hypothalamus, and retina. The study of Prdm13 using gene-knockout mouse models has provided insights into its role in pontocerebellar hypoplasias, congenital hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, and sleep-wake regulation [1,2,5].