Protein Expression In Neurogenesis: Right Place, Right Time?
Spatiotemporal expression of Phf21b found to be crucial during neurogenesis
Researchers at Queen’s University Belfast have made a breakthrough in understanding the spatiotemporal role of protein expression in brain development (1). They found that Phf21b – a cortex-specific PHD finger protein – is expressed at a particular time and location in the embryonic brain during neurogenesis to promote the birth of neurons from neural stem cells. When Phf21b is removed, this neuronal differentiation process is inhibited. Indeed, mutations at the Phf21b locus are known to be associated with intellectual disability and depression in humans.
“Our findings will have a major impact on the fundamental understanding of brain development and may lead to earlier diagnosis of brain disorders,” says Vijay Tiwari, lead researcher on the study. “It will prompt clinicians to consider genetic testing for Phf21b in such disorders and consider epigenetic analysis in future studies.”
- A Basu et al., Gene Dev, 34, 1190 (2020). PMID: 32820037.
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