PUBLICATION

Identification of neural progenitor pools by E(Spl) factors in the embryonic and adult brain

Authors
Stigloher, C., Chapouton, P., Adolf, B., and Bally-Cuif, L.
ID
ZDB-PUB-080324-6
Date
2008
Source
Brain research bulletin   75(2-4): 266-273 (Review)
Registered Authors
Adolf, Birgit, Bally-Cuif, Laure, Chapouton, Prisca, Stigloher, Christian
Keywords
Neurogenesis; Neural stem cell; Neural progenitor; E(Spl); her; Hes
MeSH Terms
  • Animals
  • Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors/metabolism*
  • Brain/cytology*
  • Brain/embryology*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
  • Humans
  • Stem Cells/metabolism*
PubMed
18331883 Full text @ Brain Res. Bull.
Abstract
The maintenance of progenitor cells is a crucial aspect of central nervous system development and maturation, and bHLH transcription factors of the E(Spl) subfamily are involved in this process in all vertebrates studied to date. In the zebrafish embryonic neural plate, a large number of E(Spl) genes (her genes) are at play. We review recent data on this point, and propose a model where distinct subsets of these genes define different progenitor subtypes. Analysis of her genes expression in the adult zebrafish brain suggests that part of the embryonic her cascade might also be reused to define progenitors during adulthood. Further, available evidence on orthologous genes in the mouse (Hes genes) point to different modes of Hes regulation depending on cell location within the embryonic neural tube, perhaps associated with distinct progenitor types in this species as well. Out of these comparisons emerges a simple model of neural stem cell maintenance applicable from embryonic development until adulthood as well as across species. This working model suggests the directions for future experiments.
Genes / Markers
Figures
Expression
Phenotype
Mutations / Transgenics
Human Disease / Model
Sequence Targeting Reagents
Fish
Antibodies
Orthology
Engineered Foreign Genes
Mapping