EXPRESSION OF THE RECEPTOR TYROSINE KINASE C-KIT IN OLIGODENDROCYTE PROGENITOR CELLS

The growth and differentiation of neural precursor cells in the centra l nervous system (CNS) are regulated by their response to polypeptide growth factors which interact with specific transmembrane receptor tyr osine kinases (RTKs). We demonstrate that rat oligodendrocyte-type 2 a strocyte (0-2A) glial progenitor cells, precursors of the myelin-formi ng cells in the CNS, express the transmembrane RTK c-kit, the gene pro duct of the murine dominant white spotting (W) locus and receptor for stem cell factor. Expression of c-kit transcripts and immunoreactive p rotein is lost when 0-2A progenitors differentiate into postmitotic ol igodendrocytes. Analysis of developing rat brain revealed an increase in the expression of c-kit transcripts between postnatal days 10 and 1 2, a window of time preceding the emergence of oligodendrocytes and th e onset of myelination in vivo. Expression of c-kit in vitro and in vi vo suggests a role for this receptor and its ligand during oligodendro cyte development. (C) 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.