Transcriptional control in myelinating glia: the basic recipe
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Published on: August 21, 2014
1Zentrum für Molekulare Neurobiologie, Universität Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany.
Abstract:
Development of myelinating glia and the myelination process both require dramatic changes in the pattern of gene expression. During these processes, cells of the oligodendrocyte and Schwann cell lineages have to alter the transcription rates of numerous genes in a highly coordinated manner. This is made possible by the combined action of a set of transcription factors with preferential expression in these cells. Recent years have seen the identification of such glial transcription factors, including several homeodomain proteins, zinc finger proteins and HMG-domain proteins. Understanding their mode of action will help to unravel the molecular basis of myelination and will provide insights into the causes of myelinopathies and related diseases.
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Transcription
Transcription is the process of synthesizing RNA from a DNA sequence by RNA polymerase. It is the first step in producing a protein from a gene sequence. Additionally, many other proteins and regulatory sequences are involved in the proper synthesis of messenger RNA (mRNA). Regulation of transcription is responsible for the differentiation of all the different types of cells and often for the proper cellular response to environmental signals.
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