Histone deacetylase inhibition-mediated neuronal differentiation of multipotent adult neural progenitor cells

TLDR

Chromatin modification is essential for regulating cell‑type‑specific gene expression. Valproic acid induces neuronal differentiation of adult hippocampal neural progenitors while simultaneously suppressing astrocyte and oligodendrocyte differentiation, a process mediated by upregulation of the neurogenic transcription factor NeuroD.

Abstract

It has become apparent that chromatin modification plays a critical role in the regulation of cell-type-specific gene expression. Here, we show that an inhibitor of histone deacetylase, valproic acid (VPA), induced neuronal differentiation of adult hippocampal neural progenitors. In addition, VPA inhibited astrocyte and oligodendrocyte differentiation, even in conditions that favored lineage-specific differentiation. Among the VPA-up-regulated, neuron-specific genes, a neurogenic basic helix–loop–helix transcription factor, NeuroD , was identified. Overexpression of NeuroD resulted in the induction and suppression of neuronal and glial differentiation, respectively. These results suggest that VPA promotes neuronal fate and inhibits glial fate simultaneously through the induction of neurogenic transcription factors including NeuroD.