MOLECULAR GENETIC CONTROL OF OLIGODENDROCYTE DEVELOPMENT

描述(逐字摘要)：这项研究的长期目标是 了解少突胶质细胞的分子和遗传控制 规范和差异化。最近，三个Nkx同源框基因Nkx-6.1， Nkx-6.2和Nkx-2.2已被鉴定为在 脊髓腹侧的少突胶质前体细胞。此外, 在分化过程中也可检测到这三种nkx基因的表达。 或胚胎发育后期的成熟少突胶质细胞。因此，它一直是 假设Nkx基因在控制肿瘤生长中起重要作用 少突胶质细胞的特化、分化或成熟。四个具体的 本文提出的目标是检验这一假说并系统地 Nkx基因在少突胶质细胞调控中的作用 发展。目的1是研究人少突胶质细胞的表型。 NKX-2.2突变小鼠。目标2是研究NKX-6.2的影响 突变对少突胶质细胞分化的影响。目标3是研究 Nkx-2.2和Nkx-6.2双突变体中少突胶质细胞的发育 研究它们在控制少突胶质细胞中可能的冗余作用 发展。目的4是测试NKX-6.1、NKX-6.2和NKX-6.2的效果 过表达这些基因对少突胶质细胞分化的异位表达 鸡胚胎脊髓背侧基因的研究 复制能力强的禽类逆转录病毒作为基因递送系统。要测试 需要同时表达三个Nkx基因的可能性 少突胶质细胞的诱导，我们将研究少突胶质细胞在 Pax-6突变体，其中Nkx-2.2的表达在 NKX-6.1和NKX-6.2域。因此，脑室前体细胞 共表达Nkx-2.2和Nkx-6.1的Nkx-6.2在 Pax-6突变体和少突胶质细胞前体域可能符合 背部伸展。 拟议研究的结果将大大提高我们的 对控制早期规范和遗传回路的遗传回路的理解 少突胶质细胞的分化，可能为设计提供理论依据 运动神经元预防和治疗的新治疗方法 少突胶质细胞萎缩。

DESCRIPTION (Abstract verbatim): The long-term goal of this study is to understand the molecular and genetic control of oligodendrocyte specification and differentiation. Recently, three Nkx homeobox genes, Nkx-6.1, Nkx-6.2 and Nkx-2.2, have been identified that are specifically expressed in the oligodendrocyte precursor cells in the ventral spinal cord. In addition, expression of these three Nkx genes can also be detected in the differentiating or mature oligodendrocytes at late stages of embryogenesis. Thus, it has been hypothesized that the Nkx genes play important roles in controlling the specification, differentiation or maturation of oligodendrocytes. Four specific aims are proposed here to test this hypothesis and to systematically characterize the function of the Nkx genes in the control of oligodendrocyte development. Aim 1 is to characterize the oligodendrocyte phenotypes in the Nkx-2.2 mutant mice. Aim 2 is to investigate the effects of the Nkx-6.2 mutation on oligodendrocyte differentiation. Aim 3 is to study the oligodendrocyte development in the Nkx-2.2 and Nkx-6.2 double mutants to investigate their possible redundant role in controlling the oligodendrocyte development. Aim 4 is to test the effects of Nkx-6.1, Nkx-6.2 and Nkx-6.2 ectopic expression on oligodendrocyte differentiation by overexpressing these genes in the dorsal spinal cord of chicken embryos using the replication-competent avian retrovirus as a gene delivery system. To test the possibility that simultaneous expression of three Nkx genes is required for oligodendrocyte induction, we will study the oligodendrocyte development in the Pax-6 mutants, in which the Nkx-2.2 expression is dorsally expanded within the Nkx-6.1+ and Nkx-6.2+ domain. Thus, the ventricular precursor cells coexpressing Nkx-2.2 and Nkx-6.1, Nkx-6.2 is also dorsally expanded in the Pax-6 mutants and oligodendrocyte precursor domain might be according extended dorsally. Results derived from the proposed studies will significantly enhance our understanding of the genetic circuitry governing the early specification and differentiation of oligodendrocytes, and may provide theoretic basis for design of novel therapeutic approaches for prevention and treatment of motor neuron and oligodendrocyte atrophies.