Tcf7l2 is tightly controlled during myelin formation

Cell Mol Neurobiol. 2012 Apr;32(3):345-52. doi: 10.1007/s10571-011-9778-y. Epub 2011 Dec 13.

Abstract

Recent, studies have shown that Tcf7l2, an important transcription factor in Wnt pathway, plays critical roles in oligodendrocyte development. In this article we report a study showing that Tcf7l2 is under tight regulation during myelin formation. We have found that during early development, Tcf7l2 mRNA appears much earlier than the protein, suggesting a regulation at the translational level. We induced demyelination in a mouse model by a dietary toxin, where remyelination followed after a few weeks, and found that Tcf7l2 protein was expressed specifically during the active remyelination phase. Similarly, in human patients with demyelination diseases, Tcf7l2 protein expression was specifically promoted in regions undergoing active remyelination. During remyelination, Tcf7l2 was only expressed in non-dividing oligodendrocyte precursors and was associated with modest levels of nuclear beta-catenin. We also documented that Tcf7l2 could form protein complex with Olig2, but not with Olig1. Our data showed that during myelin formation, Tcf7l2/beta-catenin is regulated temporally, spatially, and also at levels of expression. These data suggest a key role for Tcf7l2 in myelination/remyelination processes via a tightly controlled activation of Wnt/beta-catenin pathway and the interaction with Olig2.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Animals
  • Demyelinating Diseases / metabolism
  • Demyelinating Diseases / pathology
  • Female
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Myelin Sheath / metabolism*
  • Neural Stem Cells / metabolism
  • Pregnancy
  • Spinal Cord / cytology
  • Spinal Cord / embryology
  • Spinal Cord / metabolism
  • Transcription Factor 7-Like 2 Protein / biosynthesis*
  • beta Catenin / biosynthesis

Substances

  • Tcf7l2 protein, mouse
  • Transcription Factor 7-Like 2 Protein
  • beta Catenin