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Understanding the Mechanism Underlying the Neural-to-Glial Transition in the Developing Spinal Cord

Watson, Thomas; (2019) Understanding the Mechanism Underlying the Neural-to-Glial Transition in the Developing Spinal Cord. Doctoral thesis (Ph.D), UCL (University College London). Green open access

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Abstract

In the developing spinal cord, neurons and glia are generated sequentially. In vivo, this process is under tight spatial and temporal control. SOX9, NFIA, and NFIB form the basis of a transcriptional network which coordinates the activation of the glial lineage. However, molecular detail of the regulatory network controlling the timing of their expression is limited. We have developed an in vitro model system using embryonic stem cells that reproduces the dynamics and regulatory relationships observed in vivo. We leverage the in vitro system to investigate the temporal control of the neural-to-glial transition. Previous work has implicated TGF-β and NOTCH signalling in controlling developmental transitions throughout central nervous system development. We used the in vitro system to investigate the role of these pathways in the neural-toglial transition. Manipulating TGF-β signalling shifted the timing of glial lineage activation whilst activating NOTCH signalling was sufficient to induce the expression of glial genes. We suggest that these pathways might form a mechanism by which neuron differentiation instructs developmental progression. Using single-cell transcriptomics, we reconstructed the developmental trajectory of progenitors transitioning to a glial fate. By plotting the transcriptional changes that accompany the transition we identified novel candidate genes involved. Using CRISPR-Cas9 and lentiviral approaches, we test these candidates and investigate their effect on the transition. Through this approach we reveal ZFP536, a transcription factor required for the correct timing of the neural-to-glial transition. ZFP536 is expressed during the transition and regulates SOX9 expression both in vitro and in vivo. Our work provides new understanding of how the timing of the neural-to-glial transition is controlled in the developing spinal cord.

Type: Thesis (Doctoral)
Qualification: Ph.D
Title: Understanding the Mechanism Underlying the Neural-to-Glial Transition in the Developing Spinal Cord
Event: UCL (University College London)
Open access status: An open access version is available from UCL Discovery
Language: English
Additional information: Copyright © The Author 2019. Original content in this thesis is licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) Licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Any third-party copyright material present remains the property of its respective owner(s) and is licensed under its existing terms. Access may initially be restricted at the author’s request.
UCL classification: UCL
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Life Sciences
URI: https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10072712
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