A dimmer switch for human brain cell growth

A dimmer switch for human brain cell growth
Human neurons derived from urine allow students in the Ernst lab to model neurodevelopmental disease such as FOXG1 syndrome. This image shows a large cluster of neuronal cells that are colored for genes known to be expressed in brain cells. Once created, these neurons can be used to study developmental processes, test drugs, or genetically engineer changes to gene products that may be deficient in diseases such as FOXG1 syndrome. Credit: Nuwan Hettige

Controlling how cells grow is fundamental to ensuring proper brain development and stopping aggressive brain tumors. The network of molecules that control brain cell growth is thought to be complex and vast, but now McGill University researchers provide striking evidence of a single gene that can, by itself, control brain cell growth in humans.

In a paper published recently in Stem Cell reports, Carl Ernst, an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at McGill University and his team have shown that the loss of the FOXG1 gene in from patients with severe microcephaly—a disease where the brain does not grow large enough—reduces brain cell growth. Using , they turned on FOXG1 in cells from a microcephaly patient to different levels and showed corresponding increases in brain cell growth. They have uncovered a remarkable dimmer switch to turn brain cell growth up or down.

Their research indicates that a could potentially be targeted to stop brain tumor cells from growing. Or that future gene therapy might allow this same gene to be turned up in patients with microcephaly or other .

"FOXG1 dose tunes cell proliferation dynamics in human forebrain progenitor cells" by Nuwan C. Hettige et al. was published in Stem Cell Reports.

More information: Nuwan C. Hettige et al, FOXG1 dose tunes cell proliferation dynamics in human forebrain progenitor cells, Stem Cell Reports (2022). DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2022.01.010

Journal information: Stem Cell Reports
Provided by McGill University
Citation: A dimmer switch for human brain cell growth (2022, March 18) retrieved 20 June 2024 from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2022-03-dimmer-human-brain-cell-growth.html
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