Mef2c regulates the morphology and synapse formation of cerebellar Purkinje cells
Mef2c is an activity-dependent transcription factor that has been shown to play a role during the development of the vascular and nervous systems. However, despite robust expression in neurons of many brain regions, including Purkinje cells in the cerebellum, the function of Mef2c remains poorly...
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| Format: | Final Year Project |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
2017
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://hdl.handle.net/10356/70676 |
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| Institution: | Nanyang Technological University |
| Language: | English |
| Summary: | Mef2c is an activity-dependent transcription factor that has been shown to play a role
during the development of the vascular and nervous systems. However, despite robust
expression in neurons of many brain regions, including Purkinje cells in the
cerebellum, the function of Mef2c remains poorly understood. In this project, we
explore the possible involvement of Mef2c in the development of Purkinje cells in the
cerebellum. Using Sholl analysis, we show that Mef2c knockdown in Purkinje cells
results in higher number of dendritic intersections while maintaining their soma size
compared to Purkinje cells without Mef2c knockdown. Additionally, results from
immunohistochemical analysis revealed that Mef2c knockdown results in a reduction
in expression/localization of inhibitory (GAD67) and excitatory (vGluT2) synaptic
markers on Purkinje cell. Axonal swellings were also observed in the Purkinje cells
devoid of Mef2c, suggesting Mef2c knockdown could result in axonal transport
impairment and may lead to subsequent neurodegeneration and death. Together,
these result indicate that Mef2c plays crucial roles in the development and
maintenance of cerebellar Purkinje cells and could serve as a potential target for
therapeutic intervention for cerebellum linked neurological disorders. |
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