Serine/threonine-protein kinase PFTAIRE-1 (PFTK1) modulates differentiation and proliferation of Oligodendrocyte Precursor Cells (OPCs).

• Main Author: Tan, Hsien Yeow.
• Other Authors: Feng Zhiwei
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2011
• Subjects: DRNTU::Science
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/46502
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Oligodendrocyte differentiation is a tightly regulated process and its development in the body follows a very strict schedule. It is likely that multiple modulatory factors are involved in the regulation of this process. However, they are not well characterized. In this study, we identified a cdk-like protein, PFTK1 to be one such factor. We showed that PFTK1-knockdown accelerated oligodendrocyte differentiation. Quantitative analyses demonstrated the upregulation of specific oligodendrocyte markers, CNPase, MBP and MOG, and a series of morphological studies and immunocytochemistry experiments confirmed the results. Remarkably, overexpressing the protein inhibited the process. Besides, we also demonstrated the capacity of PFTK1 to enhance progenitor cell proliferation. 5-bromo-2’-deoxyuridine incorporation revealed significantly larger amount of proliferative cells in PFTK1- overexpressing cells, as compared to control cells expressing normal levels of the protein. These combined findings indicate a novel role played by PFTK1 in oligodendrocyte development, thus presenting opportunities to establish therapeutic approaches in improving neurological recovery related to demyelinating disorders.