Abstract
To identify genes required for brain development, we previously performed in vivo RNA interference (RNAi) screening in Drosophila embryos. We identified pebble as a gene that disrupts development of the Drosophila nervous system. Although pebble has been shown to be involved in neuronal development of Drosophila in several screens, the involvement of Ect2, a mammalian ortholog of pebble, in mammalian neuronal development has not been addressed. To examine the role of Ect2 in neuronal differentiation, we performed Ect2 RNAi in the mouse neuroblastoma x rat glioma NG108-15 cell line. Depletion of Ect2 resulted in an increased proportion of binucleate cells and morphological differentiation of NG108-15 cells characterized by the outgrowth of neurites. These morphological changes were correlated with an increased level of acetylcholine esterase mRNA. In addition, expression of Ect2 was decreased in differentiated NG108-15 cells induced by dibutyryl cyclic AMP. These findings indicate that Ect2 negatively regulates the differentiation of NG108-15 cells and suggest that Ect2 may play a role in neuronal differentiation and brain development in vivo.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 663-668 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Cellular and molecular neurobiology |
Volume | 31 |
Issue number | 5 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Jul 2011 |
Keywords / Materials (for Non-textual outputs)
- Neuron
- NG108-15
- Differentiation
- RNA interference screening
- Guanine nucleotide exchange factors
- NUCLEOTIDE EXCHANGE FACTOR
- NERVOUS-SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT
- SYNAPSE FORMATION
- RHO-GTPASES
- ACETYLCHOLINE-RELEASE
- RNA INTERFERENCE
- EXPRESSION
- SCREEN
- CYTOKINESIS
- TRANSITION