The regulation of neuronal gene expression

Abstract

The expression of information encoded in the neuronal genome is regulated both during development and during the day-to-day functioning of the mature nervous system. Cell differentiation can be considered as the result of a progressive restriction of genetic information which is expressed by a given cell during development, together with the selective regulation of those parts of the genome which remain unblocked. This capacity for the quantitative regulation of gene expression persists throughout development into maturity, and allows the nervous system and tissues with which it interacts to adapt to changing functional demands. While little is known about the molecular mechanisms responsible for the blockade or availability of specific genetic information which determines the structure and function (phenotype) of neural cells, there is now a considerable amount of information available which shows how cells of the differentiated nervous system interact to modify each others properties. In this review we describe what is known of the molecular mechanisms responsible for the regulation of expression of differentiated neural properties. We will then briefly discuss to what extent this knowledge can be applied to the processes operating during differentiation. © 1982.