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Differentiation of developing olfactory neurons analysed in terms of coupled epigenetic landscapes
- Source :
- Nucleic Acids Research
- Publication Year :
- 2013
- Publisher :
- Oxford University Press, 2013.
-
Abstract
- The olfactory system integrates signals from receptors expressed in olfactory sensory neurons. Each sensory neuron expresses only one of many similar olfactory receptors (ORs). The choice of receptor is made stochastically early in the differentiation process and is maintained throughout the life of the neuron. The underlying mechanism of this stochastic commitment to one of multiple similar OR genes remains elusive. We present a theoretical analysis of a mechanism that invokes important epigenetic properties of the system. The proposed model combines nucleosomes and associated read–write enzymes as mediators of a cis-acting positive feedback with a trans-acting negative feedback, thereby coupling the local epigenetic landscape of the individual OR genes in a way that allow one and only one gene to be active at any time. The model pinpoint that singular gene selection does not require transient mechanisms, enhancer elements or transcription factors to separate choice from maintenance. In addition, our hypothesis allow us to combine all reported characteristics of singular OR gene selection, in particular that OR genes are silenced from OR transgenes. Intriguingly, it predicts that OR transgenes placed in close proximity should always be expressed simultaneously, though rarely.
- Subjects :
- Olfactory system
Gene Dosage
Sensory system
Biology
Receptors, Odorant
Olfactory Receptor Neurons
Epigenesis, Genetic
Genetics
medicine
Epigenetics
Gene Silencing
Transcription factor
Gene
Feedback, Physiological
Models, Genetic
Mechanism (biology)
Computational Biology
Cell Differentiation
Sensory neuron
medicine.anatomical_structure
Enhancer Elements, Genetic
Neuron
Neuroscience
Pseudogenes
Transcription Factors
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 13624962 and 03051048
- Volume :
- 41
- Issue :
- 9
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- Nucleic Acids Research
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....fff62133b7a663dcce4aeeb2635aaa37