The transcription factor MEF2A plays a key role in the differentiation/maturation of rat neural stem cells into neurons

Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2018 Jun 7;500(3):645-649. doi: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2018.04.125. Epub 2018 Apr 23.

Abstract

Neural stem cells (NSCs) are self-renewing multipotent stem cells that can be proliferated in vitro and differentiated into neuronal and/or glial lineages, making them an ideal model to study the processes involved in neuronal differentiation. Here we have used NSCs to investigate the role of the transcription factor MEF2A in neuronal differentiation and development in vitro. We show that although MEF2A is present in undifferentiated NSCs, following differentiation it is expressed at significantly higher levels in a subset of neuronal compared to non-neuronal cells. Furthermore, shRNA-mediated knockdown of MEF2A reduces the number of NSC-derived neurons compared to non-neuronal cells after differentiation. Together, these data indicate that MEF2A participates in neuronal differentiation/maturation from NSCs.

Keywords: Development; Differentiation; MEF2; Neural stem cells; Neurons; Transcription factor.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Differentiation*
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Gene Knockdown Techniques
  • MEF2 Transcription Factors / metabolism*
  • Neural Stem Cells / cytology*
  • Neural Stem Cells / metabolism*
  • Neurons / cytology*
  • Neurons / metabolism*
  • Rats, Wistar

Substances

  • MEF2 Transcription Factors