Abstract:

Functionality of adult peripheral nerves essentially relies on differentiation of Schwann cells during postnatal development, as well as fine-tuned re- and transdifferentiation in response to peripheral nerve injury. Epigenetic histone modifications play a major role during the differentiation of embryonic stem cells and diverse organ specific progenitor cells, yet only little is known about the epigenetic regulation of Schwann cells. Just recently, Fuhrmann et al. reported how the transcription factor Myc-interacting zinc-finger protein 1 (Miz1) might contribute to Schwann cell differentiation through repression of the histone demethylase Kdm8. Here, we discuss the potential novel role of Miz1 in Schwann cell differentiation and give a short overview about previously reported histone modifications underlying peripheral nerve development and response to injury.

Key words: Schwann cell, differentiation, peripheral nerve injury, histone methylation, epigenetics, Miz1