Project Summary

Josef Ozer, Ph.D. (Young Investigator 2003) of Boston University, is determining the role of “transcriptional co-activators” in regulating neuronal differentiation.  The activators to be investigated in the present study regulate broad sets of genes which determine the growth and formation of neurons.  Recently, Dr. Ozer identified a co-activator called tau, which is restricted to cells that later become neurons and neuroepithelial cells.  This activator will be expressed in pre-neurons that are treated with agents that give the neuron its own specific structure and function.  It is predicted that tau will stop this process, and revert neurons to an earlier stage in neuronal development.  This information may contribute to developing new cellular and molecular based therapeutics for a broad range of degenerative neurological disorders.

Program Area: MULTIPLE FOCUS AREAS\Neurodegenerative Disorders\Retinoblastoma\Child/Adolescent

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