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A Quantitative Cell Migration Assay for Murine Enteric Neural Progenitors
Published on: September 18, 2013
Differential gene expression and functional analysis implicate novel mechanisms in enteric nervous system precursor
Bhupinder P S Vohra1, Keiji Tsuji, Mayumi Nagashimada
1Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA.
Developmental Biology
|August 15, 2006
Summary
Researchers identified new genes and proteins crucial for enteric nervous system (ENS) development. They found that synaptic proteins play a role in neural crest cell migration, offering insights into Hirschsprung
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Enteric nervous system (ENS) development involves intricate interactions between neural crest cells and the gut.
- Many factors influencing ENS development remain unidentified, hindering a complete understanding.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify novel genes and molecular mechanisms involved in ENS development.
- To investigate the role of synaptic function genes in early ENS formation.
Main Methods:
- Gene expression profiling using DNA microarray and quantitative real-time PCR.
- In situ hybridization to validate gene expression patterns in mouse intestines.
- Pharmacological inhibition of SNARE proteins (Snap25, VAMP) to assess effects on neural crest cell migration and neurite extension.
Main Results:
- Identified 83 genes with differential expression between wild-type and aganglionic mouse intestines.
- Confirmed ENS expression for 39 selected genes via in situ hybridization.
- Demonstrated that inhibiting SNARE proteins (Snap25, VAMP) impairs neural crest cell migration and ENS precursor neurite extension.
Conclusions:
- Provides a comprehensive list of potential ENS development biomarkers.
- Establishes a role for SNARE proteins in ENS development, impacting cell migration and neurite outgrowth.
- Highlights candidate genes that may influence Hirschsprung's disease penetrance.
