Chapter 4 - Roles of epigenetics in the neural stem cell and neuron

Abstract

In the mammalian brain, neuronal networks are supported by glial cells. All of the neural cell types, i.e., neurons, astrocytes and oligodendrocytes, are generated from neural stem cells (NSCs). Accumulating evidence suggests that the differentiation capacity of NSCs is conferred by cell-intrinsic epigenetic changes in a spatiotemporal manner. In the first half of this chapter, we summarize recent advances in understanding the role of epigenetics in the developing brain. In the latter half of the chapter, we describe the role of epigenetics in shaping and maintaining neuronal cell identity in the adult brain. Finally, we describe the recent development of therapeutic approaches for neurological disorders with in vivo neuronal conversion techniques based on understanding of the epigenetic level of neuronal differentiation.