Download CXXC5 plays a role as a transcription activator for myelin genes

CXXC5 plays a role as a transcription activator for myelin genes nvolving
interhemispheric activity and social stress
Kang-Yell Choi
[email protected]
Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Translational
Research Center for Protein Function Control (TRCP/ ERC), Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea
E-mail: [email protected]
Abstract
Myelination in corpus callosum plays important role for normal brain functions by
transferring neurological information between various brain regions. However, the factors
controlling expression of myelin genes in myelination are poorly understood. Here, CXXC5,
a recently identified protein with CXXC-type zinc finger DNA binding motif, was
characterized as an activator of major myelin genes. CXXC5 was specifically expressed in
the white matter of the central nervous system (CNS) in adult mice. Expressions of myelin
genes were simultaneously reduced during differentiation of neural stem cells (NSCs) of
CXXC5-/- mice. CXXC5 directly bind to the MBP promoter via the CXXC DNA-binding
motif. The CXXC5-/- mice exhibited severely reduced expression of myelin genes as well as
abnormalities in myelin structure in the corpus callosum on postnatal day 14. The disrupted
structural integrity of myelin in the CXXC5-/- mice resulted in both reduced conduction
amplitudes as well as reduced aversive response to social stress.