Oscillatory control of bHLH factors in neural progenitors

Itaru Imayoshi; Ryoichiro Kageyama

doi:10.1016/j.tins.2014.07.006

Oscillatory control of bHLH factors in neural progenitors

Trends Neurosci. 2014 Oct;37(10):531-8. doi: 10.1016/j.tins.2014.07.006. Epub 2014 Aug 19.

Authors

Itaru Imayoshi¹, Ryoichiro Kageyama²

Affiliations

¹ Institute for Virus Research, Kyoto University, Shogoin-Kawahara, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan; The Hakubi Center, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan; World Premier International Research Initiative-Institute for Integrated Cell-Material Sciences (WPI-iCeMS), Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan; Japan Science and Technology Agency, Precursory Research for Embryonic Science and Technology (PRESTO), 4-1-8 Honcho, Kawaguchi, Saitama, 332-0012, Japan. Electronic address: [email protected].
² Institute for Virus Research, Kyoto University, Shogoin-Kawahara, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan; World Premier International Research Initiative-Institute for Integrated Cell-Material Sciences (WPI-iCeMS), Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan; Japan Science and Technology Agency, Core Research for Evolutional Science and Technology (CREST), 4-1-8 Honcho, Kawaguchi, Saitama, 332-0012, Japan. Electronic address: [email protected].

PMID: 25149265
DOI: 10.1016/j.tins.2014.07.006

Abstract

The mammalian brain consists of a complex ensemble of neurons and glia. Their production during development and remodeling is tightly controlled by various regulatory mechanisms in neural progenitor cells (NPCs). Among such regulations, basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) factors have key functions in the self-renewal, multipotency, and fate determination of NPCs. Here, we highlight the importance of the expression dynamics of bHLH factors in these processes. The oscillatory expression of multiple bHLH factors is correlated with the multipotent and self-renewable state, whereas sustained expression of a selected bHLH factor regulates fate determination. We also discuss potential mechanisms by which a single bHLH factor can exhibit versatile functions in NPC regulation as well as the hierarchical structure of the bHLH factor oscillatory network.

Keywords: bHLH; fate determination; multipotent; neural progenitor cell; oscillation.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

Animals
Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors / physiology*
Gene Expression Regulation / physiology*
Humans
Neural Stem Cells / physiology*

Substances

Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors