Sox2 protects neural stem cells from apoptosis via up-regulating survivin expression

In this study, we found that Sox2 directly up-regulates the expression of survivin, which inhibits the mitochondria-dependent apoptotic pathway in NSCs. While over-expression of Sox2 elevates the survivin expression, knock-down of Sox2 results in a decrease in survivin expression, thereby initiating the mitochondria-dependent apoptosis related with caspase-9 activation. Furthermore, cell apoptosis due to Sox2 knock-down can be rescued by ectopically expressing survivin in NSCs as well as in the mouse brain, as demonstrated by an in utero-injection approach. In short, we have found a novel Sox2-survivin pathway that regulates NSC survival and homeostasis, thus revealing a new mechanism of brain development, neurological degeneration and such aging-related disorders.

Source: BJ Signal - January 10, 2013 Category: Biochemistry Authors: R Feng, S Zhou, Y Liu, D Song, Z Luan, X Dai, Y Li, N Tang, J Wen, L Li Tags: BJ Signal Source Type: research