Sox11 overexpression restores embryonic pro-growth transcription in mature corticospinal tract neurons.
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ABSTRACT: Neurons in the central nervous system (CNS) display a high capacity for axon growth during early development but mostly lose this ability during a key stage of differentiation marked by synaptic maturation, circuit integration, and a profound shift in gene transcription. Once mature, neurons largely fail to reverse this transcriptional switch after axon injury, fundamentally constraining their intrinsic capacity for repair. Here, we show with single-nucleus RNA sequencing that forced expression of the transcription factor Sox11 in adult corticospinal tract neurons produces large-scale and stable changes in gene expression that are highly enriched for growth-relevant processes, and which strongly resemble those of pre-synaptic embryonic stages. Moreover, Sox11 is equally effective when delivered to chronically injured CST neurons. These data reveal Sox11’s ability to reverse a critical step of neuronal maturation even in otherwise unperturbed neurons, clarifying the transcriptional underpinnings and highlighting Sox11’s potential as a pro-regenerative stimulus.
ORGANISM(S): Mus musculus
PROVIDER: GSE308576 | GEO | 2025/10/04
REPOSITORIES: GEO
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