COE loss-of-function analysis reveals a genetic program underlying maintenance and regeneration of the nervous system in planarians.

ABSTRACT: Members of the COE family of transcription factors are required for central nervous system (CNS) development. However, the function of COE in the post-embryonic CNS remains largely unknown. An excellent model for investigating gene function in the adult CNS is the freshwater planarian. This animal is capable of regenerating neurons from an adult pluripotent stem cell population and regaining normal function. We previously showed that planarian coe is expressed in differentiating and mature neurons and that its function is required for proper CNS regeneration. Here, we show that coe is essential to maintain nervous system architecture and patterning in intact (uninjured) planarians. We took advantage of the robust phenotype in intact animals to investigate the genetic programs coe regulates

SUBMITTER: Cowles MW 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4214590 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature