NPTX1 Regulates Neural Lineage Specification from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells

作者：Boles Nathan C; Hirsch Sarah E; Le Sheila; Corneo Barbara; Najm Fadi; Minotti Andrew P; Wang Qingjie; Lotz Steven; Tesar Paul J; Fasano Christopher A^*

来源：Cell Reports, 2014, 6(4): 724-736.

DOI：10.1016/j.celrep.2014.01.026

Neural induction is the first fundamental step in nervous system formation. During development, a tightly regulated niche modulates transient extracellular signals to influence neural lineagecommitment. To date, however, the cascade of molecular events that sustain these signals in humans is not well understood. Here we show that NPTX1, a secreted protein, is rapidly upregulated during neural induction from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs). By manipulating its expression, we were able to reduce or initiate neural lineagecommitment. Atime-course transcriptome analysis and functional assays show that NPTX1 acts in part by binding the Nodal receptor cofactor TDGF1, reducing both Nodal and BMP signaling. Our findings identify one of the earliest genes expressed upon neural induction and provide insight into human neural lineage specification.

• 出版日期2014-2