Sox proteins in neural progenitor maintenance and differentiation

NIH RePORTER · NIH · R15 · $468,000 · view on reporter.nih.gov ↗

Abstract

Neural development involves the progression of proliferating cells to mature neurons in order to form a complete and precisely functioning central nervous system. The balance of proliferating and differentiating cells are in part controlled by changes in the expression of transcription factors, and the SoxB and C family TFs are integral to this process. Sox11, a member of the SoxC subfamily, has been shown to play a critical role in multiple steps of neural development including: establishment of neuronal identity and promotion of neural differentiation and maturation. Misregulation and loss of Sox11 function have been linked to various diseases and neurodevelopmental disorders including cervical cancer, mantle cell lymphoma and Coffin-Siris Syndrome (CSS), a disorder characterized by developmental disability and digit, facial and cardiac anomalies. Despite Sox11's significant role in development, little is known about the molecular mechanisms underlying its expression or function. In order to understand how Sox11 has different functions at different times in the development of the CNS, we will determine 1) the mechanism by which Sox11 drives the expression of distinct spatial- temporal gene targets and 2) the transcriptional and post-transcriptional mechanisms of regulation during neurogenesis. These goals have led us to identify the Sox11 partner protein interactions in space and time through development and the factors involved in controlling the dynamic expression of Sox11.

Key facts

NIH application ID
10113851
Project number
1R15NS116509-01A1
Recipient
GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY
Principal Investigator
ELENA M Silva
Activity code
R15
Funding institute
NIH
Fiscal year
2020
Award amount
$468,000
Award type
1
Project period
2020-09-15 → 2025-08-31