BMP and FGF-2 regulate neurogenin-2 expression and the differentiation of sensory neurons and glia.
We have examined the effects of signaling molecules and Notch signaling on the mechanisms regulating neurogenin (ngn)-2 expression. This ngn-2 is a transcription factor that is essential for the specification of early differentiating sensory neurons in the dorsal root ganglia. In the presence of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP), anti-ngn-2-positive cells appeared in mouse trunk neural crest cell cultures, and they expressed Brn3, indicating that ngn-2-expressing cells are sensory neurons. These cells did not differentiate after fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-2 treatment or after Notch activation. The suppression of ngn-2 expression by FGF-2 was recovered by treatment with a Notch signaling inhibitor. Thus, FGF-2 may prevent ngn-2 expression through Notch activation. Whereas BMP-4 inhibited glial differentiation, FGF-2 promoted gliogenesis by means of Notch activation. Our data suggest that BMP and FGF-2 act as positive and negative regulators in ngn-2 expression, respectively, and that these signaling molecules regulate the differentiation of sensory neurons and glia.
Ota
Mitsunori
M
Department of Biology, Graduate School of Science, Osaka University, Machikaneyama, Toyonaka, Osaka, Japan.
Ito
Kazuo
K
D000818:Animals; D051792:Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D015536:Down-Regulation; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D051379:Mice; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D009432:Neural Crest / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology; D009457:Neuroglia / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D009475:Neurons, Afferent / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D051880:Receptors, Notch / Q000819:agonists; D015398:Signal Transduction; D015854:Up-Regulation
D051792:Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Proteins; D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D051880:Receptors, Notch; C102938:Neurog2 protein, mouse