Activin A promotes neuronal differentiation of cerebrocortical neural progenitor cells.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Activin A is a protein that participates principally in reproductive functions. In the adult brain, Activin is neuroprotective, but its role in brain development is still elusive.

Methodology/principal findings

We studied if Activin A influences proliferation, differentiation or survival in rat cerebrocortical neural progenitor cells (NPC). After stimulation of NPC with Activin A, phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of Smad 2/3 were induced. In proliferating NPC, Activin produced a significant decrease in cell area and also a discrete increase in the number of neurons in the presence of the mitogen Fibroblast Growth Factor 2. The percentages of cells incorporating BrdU, or positive for the undifferentiated NPC markers Nestin and Sox2, were unchanged after in

SUBMITTER: Rodriguez-Martinez G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3425505 | biostudies-literature | 2012

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature