Modulation of Neural Stem Cell Expressed Extracellular Matrix (ECM) by Targeting Glycosyltransferases

The stem cell niche microenvironment is rich in highly glycosylated extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins such as tenascin-C, chondroitin sulphate proteoglycans (CSPGs), laminins and their receptors, the β1-integrins. These proteins are present in the central nervous system (CNS) during embryonic development, and they are retained in adult neural stem cell niches such as the subventricular zone (SVZ) of the lateral ventricle. This niche composition favours stem cell maintenance, the proliferation of neuronal precursor cells and their differentiation. In this chapter we will briefly introduce three common glycan motifs present on ECM glycoproteins of the CNS. Furthermore, we outline a protocol on how to transfect neural stem cells with expression plasmids coding for individual glycosyltransferases. This is a means to modify the glycosylation of cell surface and ECM proteins and thus study the effects of protein glycosylation.
Source: Springer protocols feed by Neuroscience - Category: Neuroscience Source Type: news