Gene expression patterns and roles of suppressor genes during neural stem cell differentiation

Micro array technology allows for the examination patterns of thousands of genes at one time. In this study, micro array technology was used to examine gene expression patterns, particularly suppression levels, of neural stems cells during the first 48 hours after induction of differentiation. Six time points were used, and these were; no treatment (time 0) and 6 hours, 12 hours, 24 hours, and 48 hours post-induction.; Total human genome arrays containing over 44,000 genes were used to examine the RNA from the cells at these time points. Sufficient results allowed comparison of the time 6, 12 and 24 hour time points but not the control or 48 hour time points. Following micro array hybridization and detection, gene suppression levels between the three time points examined and genes grouped based on 50% suppression in two or three comparisons, or 80% suppression in at least one comparison.; There were 236 genes suppressed at least 50% in all three comparisons, and 1440 were suppressed 80% or more in at least one comparison. These genes were grouped into functional categories using a tool from the Gene Ontology website. Particular interest and further analysis were performed on the categories of transcription regulation, lipid metabolism, RNA splicing, RNA processing, nucleotide binding, DNA repair, and growth regulation.; These categories, some specific genes in these functional categories, and some genes shown to be suppressed in previous studies were elucidated as targets for future research. Creation of a complete global gene expression pattern was a goal of this study but due to the loss of the un-induced and time 48 data that was not possible.