Oxford University Press, Stem Cells, 1(26), p. 173-181, 2007
DOI: 10.1634/stemcells.2007-0293
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Abstract Ongoing production of neurons in adult brain is restricted to specialized neurogenic niches. Deregulated expression of genes controlling homeostasis of neural progenitor cell division and/or their microenvironment underpins a spectrum of brain pathologies. Using conditional gene deletion, we show that the proto-oncogene c-myb regulates neural progenitor cell proliferation and maintains ependymal cell integrity in mice. These two cellular compartments constitute the neurogenic niche in the adult brain. Brains devoid of c-Myb showed enlarged ventricular spaces, ependymal cell abnormalities, and reduced neurogenesis. Neural progenitor cells lacking c-Myb showed a reduced intrinsic proliferative capacity and reduction of Sox-2 and Pax-6 expression. These data point to an important role for c-Myb in the neurogenic niche of the adult brain. Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest is found at the end of this article.