An 'oligarchy' rules neural development.
Recent reports show that Olig genes, which encode the basic helix-loop-helix Olig transcription factors, are essential for development of oligodendrocytes. Surprisingly, Olig function is also required for formation of somatic motor neurons. These findings alter our views of how the oligodendrocyte lineage is generated and raise further questions about the underlying developmental relationships between neurons and glia.
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School, 44 Binney Street, Boston, MA 02115, USA. david_rowitch@dfci.harvard.edu
David H
DH
Rowitch
Q Richard
QR
Lu
Nicoletta
N
Kessaris
William D
WD
Richardson
D000818:Animals; D051792:Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Proteins; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology*; D019070:Cell Lineage / Q000502:physiology*; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D009046:Motor Neurons / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000172:deficiency* / Q000235:genetics; D000076104:Oligodendrocyte Transcription Factor 2; D009836:Oligodendroglia / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
D051792:Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Proteins; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D000076104:Oligodendrocyte Transcription Factor 2; D014157:Transcription Factors; C405707:OLIG1 protein, human; C405708:OLIG2 protein, human; C494786:Olig1 protein, mouse; C512773:Olig2 protein, mouse