Inhibition of AF116909 gene expression enhances the differentiation of neural stem cells

Objectives: Neural stem cells (NSCs) are self-renewed, pluripotent cells that can differentiate into neurons, astrocytes and oligodendrocytes. Such multipotency that allows production of specific types of nerve cells for basic research and therapeutic purposes depends on how these cells are directed in their differentiation. Here, we investigate the function of the AF116909 gene in the differentiation of NSC. Methods: NSC culture was isolated from the striatum corpora of embryonic brain tissues in a 14-day pregnant rat. A constructed RNAi (RNA-mediated interference) vector was transfected to knock down the expression of this gene. Afterwards, RT-PC7 was lied to examine the presence of endogenous AF116909 mRNA and the effect of RNA interrerence. Results: After the knockdown of this gene, we detected that the differentiation rate of cells was enhanced to 80% on the 11th day in comparison with 12% in the control cells transfected with the expression vector alone. Discussion: These findings suggest that AF116909 functions in inhibiting the differentiation of NSCs, and AF116909 gene-targeting by RNAi provides a useful method to study the differentiation mechanisms of NSCs.