# Identifying the gene regulatory network of neurogenin - instrument supplement

> **NIH NIH R15** · KENNESAW STATE UNIVERSITY · 2022 · $26,228

## Abstract

Project Summary
Schizophrenia is a highly prevalent and debilitating neurological disorder that affects between 0.3% and 0.6% of
the U.S. population. There is a strong genetic component to schizophrenia, and Genome-Wide Association
Studies have identified over 100 candidate loci that contribute to this disease. Among this list is the transcription
factor neurogenin1. As a proneural transcription factor capable of directing neurogenesis, this gene has the
potential to control the expression of multiple genes during nervous system development and function. Despite
this, little is known about the identity of neurogenin’s downstream transcriptional targets, creating an imperative
for further study. We propose to investigate the gene regulatory network surrounding neurogenin using the
nematode C. elegans as a tractable model for these studies. We recently performed a comparative transcriptome
study on C. elegans wild type and ngn-1/neurogenin mutants during embryogenesis. This identified nearly 600
genes that are under direct or indirect neurogenin transcriptional control. We hypothesize that human orthologs
of neurogenin transcriptional targets have a strong possibility of being schizophrenia loci in their own right. This
proposed study will use chromatin immunoprecipitation plus next-generation sequencing (ChIPseq) to identify
neurogenin binding sites in the worm genome, then use these data to cross-reference against our comparative
transcriptome dataset to delineate direct versus indirect neurogenin transcriptional targets. This instrument
supplement will purchase a bath sonicator to facilitate chromatin preparation for these ChIPseq assays. We will
validate these results using GFP reporter gene studies, with a focus on contextualizing neurogenin’s control of
downstream transcriptional regulators. Finally, we will use recently published single cell RNA sequencing
datasets, coupled with an unpublished ngn-1 expression lineage, to predict and validate genes that may control
ngn-1’s transcription. This innovative approach will contextualize up-stream regulators as part of the neurogenin
gene regulatory network. Homan orthologs of these genes may also contribute to the development of
schizophrenia. This project directly addresses fundamental mechanisms of nervous system development and
gene regulation. In addition, it will accomplish both broad and specific AREA program goals, including enhancing
Kennesaw State University’s research environment and exposing students to high quality research through direct
participation.
PHS 398/2590 (Rev. 11/07) Page 1 Continuation Format Page

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10582170
- **Project number:** 3R15GM140472-01S1
- **Recipient organization:** KENNESAW STATE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Martin Lyn Hudson
- **Activity code:** R15 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $26,228
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2020-09-30 → 2023-09-29

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10582170

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10582170, Identifying the gene regulatory network of neurogenin - instrument supplement (3R15GM140472-01S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10582170. Licensed CC0.

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