Transcriptional control of myelination and remyelination

Myelination is an evolutionary recent differentiation program that has been independently acquired in vertebrates by Schwann cells in the peripheral nervous system and oligodendrocytes in the central nervous system. Therefore, it is not surprising that regulating transcription factors differ substantially between both cell types. However, overall principles are similar as transcriptional control in Schwann cells and oligodendrocytes combines lineage determining and stage-specific factors in complex regulatory networks. Myelination does not only occur during development, but also as remyelination in the adult. In line with the different conditions during developmental myelination and remyelination and the distinctive properties of Schwann cells and oligodendrocytes, transcriptional regulation of remyelination exhibits unique features and differs between the two cell types. This review gives an overview of the current state in the field.