title: Rab31 is expressed in neural progenitor cells and plays a role in their differentiation.
abstract: Rab31 is expressed in both GFAP- and nestin- positive fibres in regions of neurogenic potential in the adult mouse brain. To investigate the role of Rab31 in neural progenitor cells (NPCs), we cultured NPCs and found significant levels of Rab31 expression in these cells. Rab31 levels showed a sharp initial decrease and then reappeared gradually in a subpopulation of astrocytes when NPCs were induced to differentiate. Silencing of Rab31 hindered, while overexpression enhanced, the differentiation of NPCs to astrocytes. Our results suggest a previously unrecognised role for Rab31 in influencing the differentiation and fate of NPCs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University Health System, 8 Medical Drive, Singapore 117597, Singapore; NUS Graduate School for Integrative Sciences and Engineering, National University of Singapore, 8 Medical Drive, Singapore 117597, Singapore. Electronic address: g0901904@nus.edu.sg.
authors.forename: Christelle En Lin
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Chua
authors.affiliation: Program in Neuroscience and Behavioural Disorder, Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School, 8 College Road, Singapore 169857, Singapore.
authors.forename: Eyleen Lay Keow
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Goh
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University Health System, 8 Medical Drive, Singapore 117597, Singapore; NUS Graduate School for Integrative Sciences and Engineering, National University of Singapore, 8 Medical Drive, Singapore 117597, Singapore. Electronic address: bchtbl@nus.edu.sg.
authors.forename: Bor Luen
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Tang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000166:cytology; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D020868:Gene Silencing; D051379:Mice; D058953:Neural Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D055495:Neurogenesis; D020691:rab GTP-Binding Proteins / Q000172:deficiency / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: C544741:Rab22B protein, mouse; D020691:rab GTP-Binding Proteins
keywords: Differentiation; Neural progenitor cell; Rab31