Cell and molecular biology of the neural transcription factor Scratch2 during embryogenesis

• Grant number: 14/14158-8
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: December 01, 2014
• End date: May 31, 2017
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Morphology - Embryology
• Principal Investigator: Chao Yun Irene Yan
• Grantee: Chao Yun Irene Yan
• Host Institution: Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas (ICB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The complexity of the neural differentiation process has challenged our understanding of its intricacies. In light of this, the efforts to understand the neural embryogenesis contribute not only towards the field of Developmental Biology but also in the optimization of in vitro differentiation protocols for therapeutic ends. In this proposal, we will focus on the transcription factor Scratch2, that is expressed in all postmitotic neural precursors. Overwhelming evidence from various species have stablished that Scratch has an evolutionarily conserved role in the transcriptional control during early neural differentiation. We will investigate the following aspects of Scratch2: 1) Regulation of Scratch expression2) Identification of Scratch target genes; 3) Biochemical regulation of Scratch subcellular localization and nuclear activity; 4 ) The role of Scratch in embryonic stem cell neural differentiation. (AU)