MLL1 inhibits the neurogenic potential of SCAPs by interacting with WDR5 and repressing HES1

This study explores how a protein called MLL1 affects the ability of stem cells from apical papilla (SCAPs) to turn into nerve cells. It finds that MLL1 normally inhibits this process. The study shows that when MLL1 is reduced in SCAPs, they are better able to form neuron-like cells and promote recovery in a rat model of spinal cord injury. MLL1 interacts with another protein, WDR5, to suppress the expression of a gene called HES1, which is important for nerve cell development. By reducing MLL1, the nerve-generating potential of SCAPs is enhanced.

• 1
  Knockdown of MLL1 in SCAPs increases the expression of neural markers such as NeuroD, NCAM, TH, βIII-tubulin and Nestin, promoting neuron-like cell formation.
• 2
  Depletion of MLL1 in SCAPs improves motor function recovery in a rat spinal cord injury model.
• 3
  MLL1 interacts with WDR5 and represses HES1 expression by directly binding to HES1 promoters via regulating H3K4me3 methylation, inhibiting the neurogenic potential of SCAPs.