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Published on: December 20, 2011
Helix-loop-helix factors in growth and differentiation of the vertebrate nervous system
1Department of Biological Sciences, Kyoto University Faculty of Medicine, Japan. rkageyam@phy.med.kyoto-u.ac.jp
Abstract:
Neural development involves the initial growth phase of dividing precursor cells and the subsequent differentiation phase of postmitotic cells. Recent studies indicate that the transition from the former phase to the latter is controlled antagonistically by multiple helix-loop-helix (HLH) genes. Cascades of neuronal HLH genes promote differentiation whereas anti-neuronal HLH genes repress them under the control of Notch and keep cells at the precursor stage. This antagonistic regulation may be essential for generation of the proper number of neurons and for morphogenesis of the nervous system.
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