Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 28, 2025
10:48
Differentiation of a Human Neural Stem Cell Line on Three Dimensional Cultures, Analysis of MicroRNA and Putative Target Genes
Published on: April 12, 2015
10.0K
Transcriptomic profiling across human serotonin neuron differentiation via the FEV reporter system
Yingqi Li1,2,3, Jinjin Duan1, You Li1
1Shanghai YangZhi Rehabilitation Hospital (Shanghai Sunshine Rehabilitation Center), Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China.
Stem Cell Research & Therapy
|April 18, 2024
Summary
Researchers mapped human serotonin neuron (SN) differentiation using a novel reporter system. This study reveals key genes controlling early SN development, advancing our understanding of neurodevelopment.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Human serotonin neuron (SN) differentiation transcriptomic profiles are not well understood.
- A reporter system for SN terminal selectors can yield purified cells and aid in studying molecular events.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the transcriptomic dynamics during human SN differentiation.
- To establish a reporter system for identifying and purifying SN cells.
Main Methods:
- CRISPR/Cas9 technology was used to create a fifth Ewing variant (FEV)-EGFP reporter system.
- Fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) purified SN cells.
- RNA-sequencing analyzed transcriptomic changes across four differentiation stages.
Main Results:
- Human serotonergic fate specification begins around day 21 of differentiation.
- ZIC1, HOXA2, and MSX2 were identified as key transcriptional factors in serotonergic fate determination.
Conclusions:
- The FEV reporter system provides novel insights into human SN developmental transcriptomic profiles.
- This study enhances understanding of human SN development processes.
Related Concept Videos
02:11Reporter Genes
11.3K
Reporter genes are a type of protein-coding gene that are often tagged to a gene of interest. Once inside a target cell, reporter genes usually produce visually identifiable characteristics like fluorescence and luminescence when expressed along with the gene of interest. Thus, reporter genes “report” the presence or absence of genes of interest in an organism, determine the gene expression pattern, or track the physical location of a DNA segment or protein in the cell.
11.3K
02:24Ribosome Profiling
3.5K
Ribosome profiling or ribo-sequencing is a deep sequencing technique that produces a snapshot of active translation in a cell. It selectively sequences the mRNAs protected by ribosomes to get an insight into a cell’s translation landscape at any given point in time.
Applications of ribosome profiling
Ribosome profiling has many applications, including in vivo monitoring of translation inside a particular organ or tissue type and quantifying new protein synthesis levels.
The technique...
Applications of ribosome profiling
Ribosome profiling has many applications, including in vivo monitoring of translation inside a particular organ or tissue type and quantifying new protein synthesis levels.
The technique...
3.5K