Distinct and Overlapping Gene Regulatory Networks in BMP- and HDAC-Controlled Cell Fate Determination in the Embryonic Forebrain

Both bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) and histone deacetylases (HDACs) have previously been established to play a role in the development of the three major cell types of the central nervous system: neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes. We have previously established a connection between these two protein families, showing that HDACs suppress BMP-promoted astrogliogenesis in the embryonic striatum. Since HDACs act in the nucleus to effect changes in transcription, an unbiased analysis of their transcriptional targets could shed light on their downstream effects on BMP-signaling. Using neurospheres from the embryonic striatum as an in vitro system to analyze this phenomenon, we have performed microarray expression profiling on BMP2- and trichostatin A (TSA)-treated cultures, followed by validation of the findings with quantitative RT-PCR and protein analysis.

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Scholl C, Weiβmüller K, Holenya P, Shaked-Rabi M, Tucker KL, Wölfl S