Directed migration of oligodendroglial progenitor cells: role of NG2 and fyn kinase

• Applicant: Professorin Jacqueline Trotter, Ph.D.
• Subject Area: Molecular Biology and Physiology of Neurons and Glial Cells
• Term: from 2009 to 2013
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 113950053

Migration of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPC) to reach their target axons is still poorly understood. OPC express the proteoglycan NG2 which plays a role in migration in several cell types. The aim of the project is to analyse the molecular pathways by which NG2 influences migration in OPC and especially to determine whether it plays a role in the direction of migration by establishing a polarised state of the cell. The non-receptor tyrosine kinase fyn influences process outgrowth by OPC, important for migration. Links between fyn and NG2 signalling pathways will be examined and interactions between NG2 and integrins, known activators of fyn kinase in OPC will also be analysed.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants