All issues > Volume 49(10); 2006

Original Article

Korean J Pediatr. 2006;49(10):1100-1105. Published online October 15, 2006.

NELL2 gene as regulator of cell cycle in neuron differentiation

Mi Rim MR Joung¹, Yeon Mi YM Oh¹, Woo Saeng WS Park¹, Sang Kyu SK Park¹

¹Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Ulsan University Hospital, Ulsan, Korea

Correspondence Sang Kyu SK Park ,Email: sang@uuh.ulsan.kr

Abstract

Purpose
: Because NELL2 expression is strictly restricted only in neurons in developing and post- differentiated neural tissues, it is thought to be involved in the neuronal differentiation during development and in the maintenance of neuronal physiology in the post-differentiated neurons. In this study, we examined whether NELL2 is involved in the regulation of cell cycle and apoptosis in the hippocampal neuroprogenitor HiB5 cells.
Methods
: Effects of NELL2 on the cultured HiB5 cell numbers, DNA fragmentation, and proteins involved in the regulation of the cell cycle were measured.
Results
: NELL2 induced a decrease in cell numbers and an increase in G1 phase arrest. Moreover, transfection of NELL2 resulted in an increase of DNA fragmentation that shows an evidence of apoptosis. Contents of proteins involved in the regulation of cell cycle were also changed by transfection of NELL2 expression vectors.
Conclusion
: This study suggests that NELL2 plays an important role in the regulation of cell cycle and apoptosis of neurons.

Keywords :NELL2 , Cell cycle , Neuron differentiation