Characterization of a long noncoding RNA Pcdh17it as a novel marker for immature premyelinating oligodendrocytes

Glia. 2019 Nov;67(11):2166-2177. doi: 10.1002/glia.23684. Epub 2019 Jul 22.

Abstract

Oligodendrocyte precursors (OPs) proliferate and differentiate into oligodendrocytes (OLs) during postnatal development and into adulthood in the central nervous system (CNS). Following the initiation of differentiation, OPs give rise to immature, premyelinating OLs, which undergo further differentiation and mature into myelin-forming OLs. We identified an immature OL-specific long noncoding RNA, named Pcdh17it. Through co-localization analysis and morphological characterization of OLs, we found that Pcdh17it is a specific marker for newly born immature OLs in the developing and adult forebrain of mice, and we used this new marker to analyze OL generation over the lifespan of mice. Pcdh17it is an effective tool for monitoring newly born OLs in adult brain, allowing detailed study of the dynamics of OP differentiation into OLs in the normal and pathological CNS.

Keywords: Pcdh17it; immature oligodendrocyte; long noncoding RNA; oligodendrocyte; oligodendrocyte dynamics; premyelinating oligodendrocyte.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biomarkers / analysis*
  • Brain / physiology
  • Cell Differentiation / genetics
  • Cell Differentiation / physiology
  • Central Nervous System / physiology
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Myelin Sheath / physiology*
  • Oligodendroglia / physiology*
  • RNA, Long Noncoding / genetics*
  • Stem Cells / physiology

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • RNA, Long Noncoding