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The oligodendrocyte lineage genes Olig1 and Olig2 in CNS development
Author(s) -
Stiles C. D.,
Lu Q. R.,
Sun T.,
Rowitch D. H.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
journal of neurochemistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.75
H-Index - 229
eISSN - 1471-4159
pISSN - 0022-3042
DOI - 10.1046/j.1471-4159.81.s1.51_4.x
Subject(s) - olig2 , oligodendrocyte , biology , neuroscience , lineage (genetic) , progenitor cell , neurogenesis , neural stem cell , gene , microbiology and biotechnology , central nervous system , genetics , myelin , stem cell
The oligodendrocyte lineage genes Olig1 and Olig2 encode related bHLH proteins that are co‐expressed in neural progenitors. Targeted disruption of these two genes sheds light on the ontogeny of oligodendroglia and genetic requirements for their development from multipotent CNS progenitors. Olig2 is required for oligodendrocyte and motor neuron specification in the spinal cord. Olig1 has roles in development and maturation of oligodendrocytes, evident especially within the brain. Both Olig genes contribute to neural pattern formation. Neither Olig gene is required for astrocytes. These findings, together with fate mapping of Olig‐expressing cells, challenge the notion that oligodendrocytes arise from a glial‐restricted precursor. Rather, they indicate that oligodendrocytes are derived from Olig‐specified progenitors that give rise also to neurons.