Studies on molecular mechanisms underlying abnormal differentiation of neural progenitors in a mouse model of Down syndrome

2017 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 15K06697
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Neurophysiology / General neuroscience
• Research Institution: The University of Tokyo
• Principal Investigator: Kurabayashi Nobuhiro 東京大学, 大学院理学系研究科(理学部), 助教 (40581658)
• Project Period (FY): 2015-04-01 – 2018-03-31
• Keywords: ダウン症 / 神経前駆細胞 / アストロサイト / DYRK1A / STAT

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Down syndrome, caused by triplication for human chromosome 21, is associated with abnormalities in brain development such as reduced production of neurons and increased generation of astrocytes. Previous studies suggest that both neuronal and astroglial differentiation of progenitors in Down syndrome brains are deregulated and that the deregulation coordinately contributes to impaired brain development. However, very little is known about the molecular mechanisms underlying abnormal differentiation of Down syndrome progenitors. In this study, we identifies DYRK1A-STAT as a signaling pathway responsible for the enhanced astrocytic differentiation of progenitors observed in a Down syndrome mouse model.

Free Research Field

発生神経科学