title: Towards resolving the transcription factor network controlling myelin gene expression.
abstract: In the central nervous system (CNS), myelin is produced from spirally-wrapped oligodendrocyte plasma membrane and, as exemplified by the debilitating effects of inherited or acquired myelin abnormalities in diseases such as multiple sclerosis, it plays a critical role in nervous system function. Myelin sheath production coincides with rapid up-regulation of numerous genes. The complexity of their subsequent expression patterns, along with recently recognized heterogeneity within the oligodendrocyte lineage, suggest that the regulatory networks controlling such genes drive multiple context-specific transcriptional programs. Conferring this nuanced level of control likely involves a large repertoire of interacting transcription factors (TFs). Here, we combined novel strategies of computational sequence analyses with in vivo functional analysis to establish a TF network model of coordinate myelin-associated gene transcription. Notably, the network model captures regulatory DNA elements and TFs known to regulate oligodendrocyte myelin gene transcription and/or oligodendrocyte development, thereby validating our approach. Further, it links to numerous TFs with previously unsuspected roles in CNS myelination and suggests collaborative relationships amongst both known and novel TFs, thus providing deeper insight into the myelin gene transcriptional network.
authors: Department of Medical Genetics, Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, Child and Family Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, V5Z 4H4, Canada.
authors: Debra L
authors: DL
authors: Fulton
authors: Eric
authors: E
authors: Denarier
authors: Hana C
authors: HC
authors: Friedman
authors: Wyeth W
authors: WW
authors: Wasserman
authors: Alan C
authors: AC
authors: Peterson
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D017124:Conserved Sequence; D004742:Enhancer Elements, Genetic; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D053263:Gene Regulatory Networks; D017930:Genes, Reporter; D051379:Mice; D009186:Myelin Sheath / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D009457:Neuroglia / Q000378:metabolism; D009836:Oligodendroglia / Q000378:metabolism; D009900:Optic Nerve / Q000378:metabolism; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D016548:Prosencephalon / Q000378:metabolism; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D014157:Transcription Factors