As
neurons progress from one stage of development to the next,
they undergo a series of stage-specific changes that are accompanied
by the turning on of new genes they need to successfully accomplish
maturity. They also turn off (silence) genes they no longer
need. A major mechanism in this kind of gene silencing arises
from chromatin remodeling, which is driven by DNA methylation,
the binding of methyl-DNA binding proteins, and the recruitment
of histone deacetylases. We have identified several key factors
involved in ths mechanism which are expressed at specific
stages during olfactory neuron development in vivo and in
vitro. Jessica MacDonald, and Chris Gin are testing the roles
of DNA methyl transferases and MBDs during ORN development
and regulation using a combination of molecular, bioinformatics,
cellular and transgenic mouse approaches.
HDAC 2 and NST
(TuJ1) with DAPI in the
basal cell layers of the OE |