An investigation of gene expression in single cells derived from Nestin-expressing cells in the adult mouse midbrain in vivo

Abstract

Generation of new dopamine (DA) neurons in the adult midbrain is a controversial issue in development of better treatments for Parkinson's disease (PD). Previous research suggests Nestin-expressing neural precursor cells (NPCs) have a propensity to differentiate into neurons here, including DA neurons. In the present study we sought confirmation of this by studying gene expression in single Nestin-expressing cells and their progeny/ontogeny within the adult mouse midbrain. Cells were identified by administering a pulse of Tamoxifen to adult Nestin-CreERT2 × R26eYFP transgenic mice. Samples of cytoplasm were harvested 4 days to 8 months later from individual eYFP+ cells in acutely prepared mi..