Gene Expression of NeuroD/BETA2 during Development of the Mouse Central Nervous System

Abstract

NeuroD/BETA2, a basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor, has been known to play

a role in terminal differentiation during neurogenesis. To gain further insight into the

function of NeuroD/BETA2 in the nervous system development, we examined the

expression pattern of NueroD/BETA2 during embryonic and postnatal development by in

situ hybridization. Dynamic changes of NeuroD/BETA2 expression were observed in the

developing nervous system. Gene expression of the NeuroD/BETA2 in developing

cerebellum and hippocampus increased during the embryonic stages and persisted

throughout postnatal development and remained at a stable level in the adult brain.

NeuroD/BETA2 expression was detected in postmitotic cells in the subventricular zone

of the cerebrum during embryogenesis. This observation confirms that NeuroD/BETA2

may role in terminal differentiation during neurogenesis.