神马文学网Prox1 :在脑记忆区发育中扮关键角色的基因
来源：百度文库 编辑：神马文学网 时间：2024/06/03 04:11:02
美国圣犹达儿童研究医院的一项研究显示，在学习与记忆脑区的正常发育中，一种名为Prox1的基因扮演关键角色，能确保产生新的颗粒细胞，而颗粒细胞对形成新的记忆是必须的。Prox1基因在人的整个一生都保持活性，且对哺乳动物意义重大。研究目标集中于大脑中的海马齿状回，这里控制着记忆和学习功能的形成，也是颗粒细胞下层的发源地，神经干细胞在这里分化成颗粒细胞。在齿状回区域，神经干细胞不断产生前体细胞，最终分化成神经元。Prox1是一种转录因子。早期的研究提出，在齿状回生长过程中Prox1基因被表达，它在某些癌症中也起一定作用。最新研究详细解释了Prox1基因在脑区中的功能，就像一个基因开关。研究首次详细解释了Prox1基因在脑区中的功能，论文发表在8月17日的《公共科学图书馆·生物卷》上。
Prox1 gene linked to memory
23 August 2010
By Sophie Pryor
Appeared in BioNews 572
A gene called Prox1 has a crucial role in an area of the brain involved in creating new memories, US scientists have discovered. The researchers focused on a region of the brain called the dentate gyrus, a small structure which is important for learning, memory and spatial navigation.Dr Alfonso Lavado and colleagues from St Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, demonstrated that Prox1 is needed for the maturation of neurons (nerve cells) in the dentate gyrus during embryo development. The dentate gyrus is one of the few regions in the adult brain where the birth of new neurons from stem cells occurs. This high rate of 'neurogenesis' is believed to contribute to the formation of new memories.
Inactivating Prox1 during mouse development resulted in the mice missing immature 'progenitor' cells needed for adult neurogenesis to happen. These progenitor cells, which are found in the middle layer of the dentate gyrus, were also found to be responsible for maintaining the supply of stem cells in this area.
Although Prox1 was already known to be activated in the dentate gyrus during brain development and adult neurogenesis, the new research is the first detailed description of its function. This area of the brain is also thought to play a role in modulating the symptoms of stress and depression.
Dr Guillermo Oliver, senior author of the study, explained that the findings raise the possibility that mutations in the Prox1 gene may be related to learning and memory problems. 'The more we understand about how signalling pathways work in the brain, the more we will eventually be able to manipulate the system to promote or block the differentiation process', he said. The findings were published online in the journal PloS Biology.
SOURCES & REFERENCES
Gene crucial for lifetime memories discoveredSify News, India | 19 August 2010Prox1 Is Required for Granule Cell Maturation and Intermediate Progenitor Maintenance During Brain NeurogenesisPLoS Biology | 17 August 2010
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