Misexpression of a bHLH gene, cNSCL1, results in abnormal brain development.

ABSTRACT: NSCL1 is a basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor involved in the development of the nervous system. To elucidate its role in neurogenesis, we cloned chick NSCL1 (cNSCL1) and examined its expression pattern and the effect of its misexpression on brain development. cNSCL1 was predominantly expressed during active neurogenesis. Double-labeling experiments showed that proliferating neuroblasts in the ventricular zone lacked cNSCL1 expression and cells expressing cNSCL1 were located just outside the ventricular zone. Retroviral misexpression of cNSCL1 in chick embryos produced a brain with abnormal structure. While the forebrain of the embryonic day-12 (E12) brain appeared normal, the tectum was enlarged. The enlargement was likely due to an increase in cell proliferation, since more radi

SUBMITTER: Li CM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1764459 | biostudies-literature | 1999 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature