# Sox proteins in neural progenitor maintenance and differentiation

> **NIH NIH R15** · GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY · 2020 · $468,000

## 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 organization:** GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** ELENA M Silva
- **Activity code:** R15 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $468,000
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2020-09-15 → 2025-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10113851

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10113851, Sox proteins in neural progenitor maintenance and differentiation (1R15NS116509-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10113851. Licensed CC0.

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