Genome-Wide Identification of Bcl11b Gene Targets Reveals Role in Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Signaling
2011

Bcl11b Gene Targets in the Brain and Their Role in Signaling

Sample size: 4 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Tang Bin, Di Lena Pietro, Schaffer Lana, Head Steven R., Baldi Pierre, Thomas Elizabeth A.

Primary Institution: The Scripps Research Institute

Hypothesis

Bcl11b is important in the control of striatal gene expression.

Conclusion

Bcl11b regulates numerous genes involved in the BDNF signaling pathway, acting primarily as a negative regulator.

Supporting Evidence

  • Bcl11b was found to bind to 1,410 genomic regions.
  • 694 genes were significantly altered in expression due to Bcl11b overexpression.
  • Functional analysis identified several zinc-finger encoding genes as Bcl11b targets.
  • BDNF signaling pathway components were among the identified Bcl11b target genes.
  • ChIP-seq analysis revealed significant consensus DNA binding motifs for Bcl11b.

Takeaway

Bcl11b is a protein that helps control how other genes work in brain cells, and it seems to lower the activity of a signaling pathway important for brain health.

Methodology

The study used chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by high-throughput sequencing (ChIP-seq) and genome-wide expression profiling to identify Bcl11b target genes.

Limitations

The striatal cells used were immortalized from embryonic tissue, which may not fully represent in vivo conditions.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.0027

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.pone.0023691

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