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Assaying Circuit Specific Regulation of Adult Hippocampal Neural Precursor Cells
Published on: July 24, 2019
Crosstalk among Epigenetic Pathways Regulates Neurogenesis
Emily M Jobe1, Andrea L McQuate, Xinyu Zhao
1Cellular and Molecular Biology Graduate Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison, WI, USA.
Frontiers in Neuroscience
|May 16, 2012
Summary
Epigenetic pathways regulate adult neurogenesis, the creation of new neurons in the brain. These pathways, including microRNAs and DNA methylation, form networks controlling neuronal development and responding to environmental cues.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Epigenetics
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Neurogenesis, the formation of new neurons, occurs during embryonic development and persists in specific adult brain regions.
- Key areas of adult neurogenesis include the hippocampus and the lateral ventricles.
- Epigenetic mechanisms are increasingly recognized as crucial regulators of this process.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the role of epigenetic pathways in postnatal and adult neurogenesis.
- To highlight specific epigenetic factors such as microRNAs, REST/NRSF, polycomb proteins, and methyl-CpG binding proteins.
- To discuss the regulatory networks formed by the crosstalk of these epigenetic factors.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on epigenetic regulation of neurogenesis.
- Synthesis of current research on DNA methylation, chromatin remodeling, and non-coding RNAs in neurogenesis.
- Analysis of regulatory networks involving specific epigenetic mediators.
Main Results:
- Epigenetic pathways, including DNA methylation, chromatin remodeling, and non-coding RNAs, are integral to postnatal neurogenesis.
- Specific epigenetic factors like microRNAs, REST/NRSF, polycomb proteins, and methyl-CpG binding proteins play critical roles.
- Crosstalk among these epigenetic factors forms complex regulatory networks governing neuronal development.
Conclusions:
- Epigenetic mechanisms are essential for regulating all stages of postnatal and adult neurogenesis.
- The interplay between various epigenetic factors creates a critical regulatory network for neuronal development.
- Environmental cues can influence neurogenesis through the crosstalk of these epigenetic pathways.
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