A role for the helix-loop-helix protein Id2 in the control of oligodendrocyte development

Neuron. 2001 Mar;29(3):603-14. doi: 10.1016/s0896-6273(01)00237-9.

Abstract

Compared to neurons, the intracellular mechanisms that control glial differentiation are still poorly understood. We show here that oligodendrocyte lineage cells express the helix-loop-helix proteins Mash1 and Id2. Although Mash1 has been found to regulate neuronal development, we found that in the absence of Mash1 oligodendrocyte differentiation occurs normally. In contrast, we found that overexpression of Id2 powerfully inhibits oligodendrocyte differentiation, that Id2 normally translocates out of the nucleus at the onset of differentiation, and that absence of Id2 induces premature oligodendrocyte differentiation in vitro. These findings demonstrate that Id2 is a component of the intracellular mechanism that times oligodendrocyte differentiation and point to the existence of an as yet unidentified MyoD-like bHLH protein necessary for oligodendrocyte differentiation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors
  • Cell Differentiation*
  • Cell Division
  • Cells, Cultured
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / analysis
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / deficiency
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / physiology*
  • Gene Expression
  • Helix-Loop-Helix Motifs*
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Inhibitor of Differentiation Protein 2
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Oligodendroglia / chemistry
  • Oligodendroglia / cytology*
  • Oligodendroglia / metabolism
  • Optic Nerve / cytology
  • Platelet-Derived Growth Factor / pharmacology
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • RNA, Messenger / analysis
  • Rats
  • Repressor Proteins*
  • Stem Cells / chemistry
  • Stem Cells / cytology*
  • Stem Cells / metabolism
  • Time Factors
  • Transcription Factors / analysis
  • Transcription Factors / deficiency
  • Transcription Factors / physiology
  • Triiodothyronine / pharmacology

Substances

  • Ascl1 protein, mouse
  • Ascl1 protein, rat
  • Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Id2 protein, rat
  • Idb2 protein, mouse
  • Inhibitor of Differentiation Protein 2
  • Platelet-Derived Growth Factor
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Repressor Proteins
  • Transcription Factors
  • Triiodothyronine