Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 27, 2025

Differentiation of a Human Neural Stem Cell Line on Three Dimensional Cultures, Analysis of MicroRNA and Putative Target Genes
Published on: April 12, 2015
A chromatin remodelling SWI/SNF subunit, Snr1, regulates neural stem cell determination and differentiation
Sophie E Keegan1, Julie Haskins1, Andrew J Simmonds1
1Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2H7, Canada.
Abstract:
Coordinated spatio-temporal regulation of the determination and differentiation of neural stem cells is essential for brain development. Failure to integrate multiple factors leads to defective brain structures or tumour formation. Previous studies suggest changes of chromatin state are needed to direct neural stem cell differentiation, but the mechanisms are unclear. Analysis of Snr1, the Drosophila orthologue of SMARCB1, an ATP-dependent chromatin remodelling protein, identified a key role in regulating the transition of neuroepithelial cells into neural stem cells and subsequent differentiation of neural stem cells into the cells needed to build the brain. Loss of Snr1 in neuroepithelial cells leads to premature neural stem cell formation. Additionally, loss of Snr1 in neural stem cells results in inappropriate perdurance of neural stem cells into adulthood. Snr1 reduction in neuroepithelial or neural stem cells leads to the differential expression of target genes. We find that Snr1 is associated with the actively transcribed chromatin region of these target genes. Thus, Snr1 likely regulates the chromatin state in neuroepithelial cells and maintains chromatin state in neural stem cells for proper brain development.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Chromatin Modification in iPS Cells
Compact chromatin makes reprogramming difficult. Enzymes, such as histone demethylases and acetyltransferases, are often added during reprogramming to loosen the chromatin, making the DNA more accessible to transcription factors. Molecules that inhibit histone...
Nucleosome Remodeling
Nucleosome remodeling complex
Eukaryotic cells have specialized enzymes called ATP-dependent nucleosome remodeling enzymes. These enzymes...
Methods of Nuclear Reprogramming
Chromatin Structure Regulates pre-mRNA Processing
The chromatin structure, especially...
Somatic to iPS Cell Reprogramming
Maintenance of the ES Cell State

