A key role for Pak4 in proliferation and differentiation of neural progenitor cells

► Neural-specific Pak4 conditional knockout (Pak4cKO) mice were generated using nestin-Cre mice. ► Pak4cKO mice develop hydrocephalus after birth and die prematurely. ► Pak4cKO brains show impaired neurogenesis in vivo and in vitro from E16.5. ► Pak4cKO brains show reduced cell proliferation from E16.5, without changes in cell cycle. ► Pak4cKO brains show reduced mitosis in cells at the ventricular surface from E16.5.