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Related Concept Videos

Determination01:51

Determination

During embryogenesis, cells become progressively committed to different fates through a two-step process: specification followed by determination. Specification is demonstrated by removing a segment of an early embryo, “neutrally” culturing the tissue in vitro—for example, in a petri dish with simple medium—and then observing the derivatives. If the cultured region gives rise to cell types that it would normally generate in the embryo, this means that it is specified. In contrast, determination...
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In the CNS, neurogenesis, the birth of new neurons from stem cells, is limited to the hippocampus in adults. In other regions of the brain and spinal cord, neurogenesis is almost non-existent due to inhibitory influences from neuroglia, especially oligodendrocytes, and the absence of growth-stimulating cues. The myelin produced by oligodendrocytes in the CNS inhibits neuronal regeneration. Furthermore, astrocytes proliferate rapidly after neuronal damage, forming scar tissue that physically...
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Phosphorylation

The addition or removal of phosphate groups from proteins is the most common chemical modification that regulates cellular processes. These modifications can affect the structure, activity, stability, and localization of proteins within cells as well as their interactions with other proteins.
During phosphorylation, protein kinases transfer the terminal phosphate group of ATP to specific amino acid side chains of substrate proteins. Serine, threonine, and tyrosine are the most commonly...
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Proteins undergo chemical modifications that trigger changes in the charge, structure, and conformation of the proteins. Phosphorylation, acetylation, glycosylation, nitrosylation, ubiquitination, lipidation, methylation, and proteolysis are various protein modifications that regulate protein activity. Such modifications are usually enzyme-driven.
Protein kinases
Many proteins in the cell are regulated by phosphorylation, the addition of a phosphate group. A family of enzymes called kinases...
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The Specification of Telencephalic Glutamatergic Neurons from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells
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Neurogenesis or neuronal specification: phosphorylation strikes again!

Helen C Lai1, Jane E Johnson

  • 1Department of Neuroscience, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA.

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|April 11, 2008
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Summary

Basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factors regulate neurogenesis. Phosphorylation of Ngn2 by GSK3 adds subtype-specific programs to its function during neural tube development.

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Molecular Biology
  • Developmental Biology

Background:

  • Basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factors are crucial for neurogenesis and neuronal subtype specification.
  • The precise mechanisms by which bHLH factors integrate cell signaling to control these processes are not fully understood.

Discussion:

  • This study reveals a novel regulatory mechanism for the bHLH factor Ngn2 (Neurog2).
  • Phosphorylation of Ngn2 by glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3) modifies its function.
  • This modification introduces neuronal subtype-specific transcriptional programs.

Key Insights:

  • GSK3-mediated phosphorylation of Ngn2 is a key event in specifying neuronal subtypes.
  • This post-translational modification expands the functional repertoire of Ngn2 beyond its general role in neurogenesis.
  • The findings highlight the importance of integrating signaling pathways with transcription factor activity during development.

Outlook:

  • Further research can explore the downstream targets of phosphorylated Ngn2.
  • Investigating how other signaling pathways interact with bHLH factors could reveal broader principles of neurodevelopment.
  • Understanding these mechanisms may offer insights into developmental neurological disorders.