Identification of genes expressed by zebrafish oligodendrocytes using a differential microarray screen.

ABSTRACT

Myelination of central nervous system axons requires that oligodendrocytes extend multiple membrane processes that specifically recognize and wrap axons, which is followed by expression of proteins necessary for formation of myelin sheaths. To identify new genes that might be important for myelination, we used microarrays to analyze the expression profiles of cells sorted from transgenic zebrafish embryos and larvae under conditions that permitted or blocked oligodendrocyte development. Here, we describe eight genes that have not been previously implicated in oligodendrocyte development. Among the predicted functions of proteins encoded by these genes are lipid sensing, cell-cell junction formation, cytoskeleton regulation, and intracellular signaling. The predicted functions raise the possibility that these genes are involved in multiple cellular events during oligodendrocyte differentiation and myelin formation.