title: Epigenetic mechanisms regulating differentiation of neural stem/precursor cells.
abstract: Differentiation of neural stem/precursor cells (NS/PCs) into neurons, astrocytes and oligodendrocytes during mammalian brain development is a carefully controlled and timed event. Increasing evidences suggest that epigenetic regulation is necessary to drive this. Here, we provide an overview of the epigenetic mechanisms involved in the developing mammalian embryonic forebrain. Histone methylation is a key factor but other epigenetic factors such as DNA methylation and noncoding RNAs also partake during fate determination. As numerous epigenetic modifications have been identified, future studies on timing and regional specificity of these modifications will further deepen our understanding of how intrinsic and extrinsic mechanisms participate together to precisely control brain development.
authors.affiliation: Department of Stem Cell Biology & Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka, Japan.
authors.forename: Aliya Mari D
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Adefuin
authors.forename: Ayaka
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kimura
authors.forename: Hirofumi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Noguchi
authors.forename: Kinichi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nakashima
authors.forename: Masakazu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Namihira
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000254:growth & development; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D019175:DNA Methylation; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D006657:Histones / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008322:Mammals / Q000196:embryology* / Q000235:genetics; D058953:Neural Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology; D022661:RNA, Untranslated / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D006657:Histones; D022661:RNA, Untranslated
keywords: DNA methylation; brain development; differentiation; histone methylation; miRNA; polycomb groups