Axon Regeneration
Epigenetic and epitranscriptomic regulation of axon regeneration
Axon regeneration in the adult central nervous system (CNS) is extremely limited because of the reduced intrinsic growth ability of mature neurons and an inhibitory environment that is not generally conducive to neuronal regeneration. In contrast, PNS neurons such as dorsal root ganglion cells (DRGs), exhibit relatively robust axon regeneration upon injury of the peripheral branches through a process involving de novo gene transcription and protein translation. Using a sciatic nerve crush injury mouse model, we are interested in understanding whether and how epigenetic and epitranscriptomic mechanisms are involved in regulating the regenerative state of DRGs after injury. We hope that the understanding of this endogenous form of regeneration may lead to the development of strategies to enhance CNS regeneration.
Selected Publications
Weng YL, Wang X, An R, Cassin J, Vissers C, Liu Y, Liu Y, Xu T, Wang X, Wong SZH, Joseph J, Dore LC, Dong Q, Zheng W, Jin P, Wu H, Shen B, Zhuang X, He C, Liu K, Song H, Ming GL. Epitranscriptomic m6A Regulation of Axon Regeneration in the Adult Mammalian Nervous System. Neuron. 2018 Jan 17;97(2):313-325.e6. doi: 10.1016/j.neuron.2017.12.036.
Cheng Y, Song H, Ming GL, Weng YL. Epigenetic and epitranscriptomic regulation of axon regeneration. Mol Psychiatry 28, 1440–1450 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41380-023-02028-9
Weng YL, An R, Cassin J, Joesph J, Mi R, Wang C, Zhong C, Jin SG, Pfeifer GP, Bellacosa A, Dong X, Hoke A, He Z, Song H, Ming GL. An Intrinsic Epigenetic Barrier for Functional Axon Regeneration Neuron. 2017; 94(2):337-346. PMID: 28426967.
Weng YL, Joseph, J, An R, Song H, Ming GL. Epigenetic regulation of axonal regenerative capacity. Epigenomics. 2016; 8(10):1429-1442. PMID 27642866
Shim, S., Goh, E.L., Ge, S., Sailor, K., Yuan, J.P., Roderick, H.L., Bootman, M.D., Worley, P.F., Song, H., Ming, G-l. (2005). XTRPC1-dependent chemotropic guidance of neuronal growth cones. Nat Neurosci 8, 730-5. [PMC4005724]
Ming, G-l.*, Wong, S.T., Henley, J., Yuan, X.B., Song, H.J., Spitzer, N.C., Poo, M.M.* (2002). Adaptation in the chemotactic guidance of nerve growth cones. Nature. 417, 411-8. (*: co-corresponding authors).
Song, H-j*, Ming, G-l.*, He, Z.*, Tessier-Lavigne, M. and Poo, M-m. (1998). Conversion of neuronal growth cone responses from repulsion to attraction. Science 281, 1515-8. (*: equal contribution).