Neurogenic function of cScratch2 transcription factor in dorsal root ganglia and in the differentiation of embryonic stem cells.

• Grant number: 11/20253-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: January 01, 2012
• End date: June 30, 2016
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Morphology - Embryology
• Principal Investigator: Chao Yun Irene Yan
• Grantee: Tatiane Yumi Nakamura Kanno
• Host Institution: Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas (ICB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated scholarship(s): 15/04735-0 - Gene expression profiling during early embryonic and stem cells neural differentiation, BE.EP.DR

Abstract

cScratch2 is a transcription factor that belongs to the superfamily Snail / Slug. Among the members of this superfamily, Snail protein is the most studied and have evolutionarily conserved functions. cScratch2 is related to the differentiation of post-mitotic neurons and glial cells, including neural crest-derived elements. It is expressed in embryonic chick neural tube and in neuronal precursor cells in early differentiation. cScratch2 is also expressed in the dorsal root ganglia, which is a component of the peripheral nervous system derived from the neural crest cells. The expression of marker genes for each stage of development of GRD has been detailed in previous reports, which allows us to identify spatially and temporally different stages of their formation. Overexpression of cScratch2 in Drosophila photoreceptors results in the development of extra neurons. In contrast, the mutant null for Scrt has fewer photoreceptors and present defects in the ommatidia, suggesting that the expression of Scrt promotes neurogenesis. In this project we propose to investigate the contribution of cScrt2 in the DRG neurogenesis and in the neural differentiation of embryonic stem cells. We also will investigate the role of potential sites which can be phosphorylated in the cScratch2 function. For this, we will conduct experiments to change the expression levels of cScrt2 and will be built mutagenized proteins in amino acid candidates for phosphorylation.

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

KANNO, TATIANE Y. N.; ESPREAFICO, ENILZA M.; IRENE YAN, CHAO YUN. Role of myosin Va in neuritogenesis of chick dorsal root ganglia nociceptive neurons. Cell Biology International, v. 38, n. 3, p. 388-394, MAR 2014. (11/20253-5)

Academic Publications

(References retrieved automatically from State of São Paulo Research Institutions)

KANNO, Tatiane Yumi Nakamura. SCRATCH2 in embryonic and stem cell neural differentiation.. 2016. Doctoral Thesis - Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas (ICB/SDI) São Paulo.