A subset of ES-cell-derived neural cells marked by gene targeting.
Embryonic stem cells differentiate efficiently in culture into neural progenitors, neurons, oligodendrocytes, and astrocytes. An embryonic stem (ES) cell line with green fluorescent protein (GFP) inserted into the gene for Olig2, a lineage-specific transcription factor, permits visualization and physical separation of a subset of living ES-cell-derived neural cells. GFP-expressing cells have morphological and antigenic properties of the oligodendrocyte lineage. The differentiation of living GFP-expressing cells can be followed in cultures, and they can be separated by fluorescence-activated cell sorting and cultured as pure populations. This system will allow detailed biochemical and molecular analysis of a neural differentiation pathway at a level not previously feasible. The strategy may have general applicability, since other neural lineages can be marked in an analogous manner.
Xian
Hai-Qing
HQ
Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, USA.
McNichols
Elizabeth
E
St  Clair
Andrew
A
Gottlieb
David I
DI
D000818:Animals; D001253:Astrocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D051792:Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Proteins; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D019070:Cell Lineage; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D018390:Gene Targeting / Q000379:methods*; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins; D018257:Helix-Loop-Helix Motifs / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007118:Immunoassay; D008164:Luminescent Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D000076104:Oligodendrocyte Transcription Factor 2; D009836:Oligodendroglia / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D009928:Organ Specificity / Q000235:genetics; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D013194:Staining and Labeling; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000378:metabolism*
D051792:Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Proteins; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins; D008164:Luminescent Proteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D000076104:Oligodendrocyte Transcription Factor 2; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; C405708:OLIG2 protein, human; C512773:Olig2 protein, mouse