Early Growth Response (Egr) genes may have an important role in mammalian sympathetic nervous system development. Egr mediated gene transcription is essential for differentiation of sympathetic nervous system derived PC12 and neuroblastoma cell lines. However, their role in sympathetic neuron development has never been addressed in vivo. We have outlined a training and research program that will: 1) Characterize the sympathetic nervous system defects in Egr3-deficient mice; 2) determine which Egr gene family members are expressed in sympathetic neurons in vivo; and 3) explore the role of signal transduction pathways involving neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) and upstream transcriptional regulators such as CREB in regulating Egr gene expression during sympathetic neuron development. A greater understanding of the signal transduction mechanisms related to growth factor mediated differentiation and survival may provide important insights into the pathogenesis of tumors and neurodegenerative diseases involving sympathetic neurons. ? ?

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Type
Individual Predoctoral NRSA for M.D./Ph.D. Fellowships (ADAMHA) (F30)
Project #
1F30NS047775-01A1
Application #
6886368
Study Section
NST-2 Subcommittee (NST)
Program Officer
Fountain, Jane W
Project Start
2005-09-21
Project End
2007-09-20
Budget Start
2005-09-21
Budget End
2006-09-20
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2005
Total Cost
$28,893
Indirect Cost
Name
Northwestern University at Chicago
Department
Pathology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
005436803
City
Chicago
State
IL
Country
United States
Zip Code
60611
Li, Lin; Eldredge, Laurie C; Quach, David H et al. (2011) Egr3 dependent sympathetic target tissue innervation in the absence of neuron death. PLoS One 6:e25696
Eldredge, Laurie C; Gao, Xiaoguang M; Quach, David H et al. (2008) Abnormal sympathetic nervous system development and physiological dysautonomia in Egr3-deficient mice. Development 135:2949-57