Transcription factors expressed in embryonic and adult olfactory bulb neural stem cells reveal distinct proliferation, differentiation and epigenetic control

TF genomic markers associated with neurogenesis, proliferation, differentiation, and epigenetic control in human embryonic neural stem cells (hENSC(, and adult human olfactory bulb neural stem cells (OBNSC) were studied by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and DNA microarray. The biological impact of TF gene changes in the examined cell types was estimated using DAVID to specify a different GO class and signaling pathway based on KEGG database. Eleven, and twenty eight TF genes were up-regulated (fold change ≤ 2–39) in OBNSC, and hENSC respectively. KEGG pathway analysis for the up-regulated TF genes revealed significant enrichments for the basal transcription factor pathway, and Notch signaling pathway in OBNSCs, and hENSCs, respectively. Immunofluorescence analysis revealed a significantly greater number of β-tubulin III (TUBB3), MAP, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and O4 in hENSC when compared to those in OBNSC. Furthermore, the expression of epigenetic-related TF-genes SMARCC1, TAF12, and UHRF1 increased significantly in OBNSC when compared with hENSC.

► Transcription factors genes expression were studied in hENSCs, and OBNSCs.
► Eleven, and 28, TF genes were up-regulated in OBNSCs, and hENSC respectively.
► GO clustering and KEGG pathway analysis revealed enrichment in two major pathways.
► Expression of epigenetic-related TF- genes increased significantly in OBNSC.