Brain plasticity, cognitive functions and neural stem cells: a pivotal role for the brain-specific neural master gene
Nguyen Thi Thanh Ho1, Arne Kutzner2, Klaus Heese1
1Graduate School of Biomedical Science and Engineering, Hanyang University, 222 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul 133-791, Republic of Korea.
Abstract:
Due to an aging society with an increased dementia-induced threat to higher cognitive functions, it has become imperative to understand the molecular and cellular events controlling the memory and learning processes in the brain. Here, we suggest that the novel master gene pair |-SRGAP2-FAM72-| (SLIT-ROBO Rho GTPase activating the protein 2, family with sequence similarity to 72) reveals a new dogma for the regulation of neural stem cell (NSC) gene expression and is a distinctive player in the control of human brain plasticity. Insight into the specific regulation of the brain-specific neural master gene |-SRGAP2-FAM72-| may essentially contribute to novel therapeutic approaches to restore or improve higher cognitive functions.
Related Concept Videos
Neuroplasticity
Somatic to iPS Cell Reprogramming
Methods of Nuclear Reprogramming
Neurogenesis and Regeneration of Nervous Tissue


