Unknown,Transcriptomics,Genomics,Proteomics

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Transcription profiling of Drosophila embryonic cell culture and embryonic neural tissues FACS sorted for neuronal type to examine determination the neuronal cellular fate and specific neurotransmitter phenotypes of cells in the nervous system

ABSTRACT: We are interested in genes that determine the neuronal cellular fate and specific neurotransmitter phenotypes of cells in the nervous system. The reasons for our interest are two fold. First, identification of the genetic pathways operating in specific types of neurons could explain why they die in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer?s, Parkinson?s and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. All of these disorders have in common the property that only certain types of neurotransmitter specific neurons degenerate. Secondly, neuronal cell replacement therapies using differentiated stem cell progeny hold the potential to reverse the devastating consequences of neurodegenerative diseases. The genetic personality of specific kinds of neurons must first be defined in order to use proper cells for neuronal replacement and this information will be essential in directing stem cell differentiation into proper developmental pathways. Our current approach to the problems of specification and neurotransmitter phenotype is to create transgenic animals where different neurotransmitter phenotypes are labeled with a fluorescent reporter gene. Labeled neurons are then isolated using Fluorescence Activated Cell Sorting. The purified populations of neurons are analyzed for their whole genome expression patterns using DNA microarray technology. We have successfully applied this approach using Drosophila cholinergic neurons and are now extending our observations to other classes of neurons that use GABA or glutamate as neurotransmitters. Cholinergic neurons express unique sets of ion channels, receptors and other types of genes. We also see unique sets of transcriptional regulatory proteins, and these may be important in the developmental pathways that result in the production of cholinergic neurons.

ORGANISM(S): Drosophila melanogaster

SUBMITTER: Paul Salvaterra

PROVIDER: E-GEOD-1060 | biostudies-arrayexpress |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-arrayexpress

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Project description:Stem cells are a potential key strategy for treating neurodegenerative diseases in which the generation of new neurons is critical. A better understanding of the characteristics and molecular properties of neural stem cells (NSC) and differentiated neurons can help in assessing neuronal maturity and possibly in devising better therapeutic strategies. We have therefore performed an in-depth gene expression profiling study of the C17.2 NSC line and primary neurons (PN) derived from embryonic mouse brains. Microarray analysis revealed a neuron-specific gene expression signature that distinguishes PN from NSCs, with elevated levels of transcripts involved in neuronal functions such as neurite development, axon guidance, in PN. The same comparison revealed decreased levels of multiple cytokine transcripts such as IFN, TNF, TGF, and IL. Among the differentially expressed genes, we found a statistically significant enrichment of genes in the ephrin, neurotrophin, CDK5 and actin pathways which control multiple neuronal-specific functions. Furthermore, genes involved in cell cycle were among the most significantly changed in PN. In order to better understand the role of cell cycle arrest in mediating NSCs differentiation, we blocked the cell cycle of NSCs with Mitomycin C (MMC) and examined cellular morphology and gene expression signatures. Although these MMC-treated NSCs displayed a neuronal morphology and expressed some neuronal differentiation marker genes, their gene expression patterns was very different from primary neurons. We conclude that: 1) Fully differentiated primary neurons display a specific neuronal gene expression signature; 2) cell-cycle block in NSC does not induce the formation of fully differentiated neurons; 3) Cytokines such as IFN, TNF, TGF and IL are part of normal NSC function and/or physiology; 4) Signaling pathways of ephrin, neurotrophin, CDK5 and actin, related to major neuronal features, are dynamically enriched in genes showing changes in expression level. Gene expression profiles in neuronal stem cell, mitomycin-treated neuronal stem cells and primary neuronal cultures were compared to examine cellular morphology and gene expression signatures during neuronal differentiation.

Dataset Information

Transcription profiling of Drosophila embryonic cell culture and embryonic neural tissues FACS sorted for neuronal type to examine determination the neuronal cellular fate and specific neurotransmitter phenotypes of cells in the nervous system

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