Gene amplification during myogenic differentiation.

Gene amplifications are mostly an attribute of tumor cells and drug resistant cells. Recently, we provided evidence for gene amplifications during differentiation of human and mouse neural progenitor cells. Here, we report gene amplifications in differentiating mouse myoblasts (C2C12 cells) covering a period of 7 days including pre-fusion, fusion and post-fusion stages.

Pannexin-1 expression in developing mouse nervous system: new evidence for expression in sensory ganglia.

Pannexin1 (Panx1) is one of three members of the pannexin protein family. The expression of Panx1 mRNA has been extensively investigated from late embryonic to adult stages. In contrast, expression during early embryonic development is largely unknown.

Gene amplification during differentiation of mammalian neural stem cells in vitro and in vivo.

In development of amphibians and flies, gene amplification is one of mechanisms to increase gene expression. In mammalian cells, gene amplification seems to be restricted to tumorigenesis and acquiring of drug-resistance in cancer cells. Here, we report a complex gene amplification pattern in mouse neural progenitor cells during differentiation with approximately 10% of the genome involved.

Reduced cholinergic and glutamatergic synaptic input to regenerated motoneurons after facial nerve repair in rats: potential implications for recovery of motor function.

Deafferentation of motoneurons after facial nerve injury is a well-documented phenomenon but whether synaptic inputs to facial motoneurons are completely restored after reinnervation is unknown. Here, we tested the hypothesis that deficits in motor performance after transection/suture of the facial nerve (facial-facial anastomosis, FFA) in adult rats are associated with incomplete recovery of synaptic inputs. At 2 months after FFA, we found, in congruence with previous results, that the amplitude of whisking had recovered to only 31 % of control (sham operation).