An orchestrated gene expression component of neuronal programmed cell death revealed by cDNA array analysis

Programmed cell death (PCD) during neuronal development and disease has bee n shown to require de novo RNA synthesis. However, the time course and regu lation of target genes is poorly understood. By using a brain-biased array of over 7.500 cDNAs, we profiled this gene expression component of PCD in c erebellar granule neurons challenged separately by potassium withdrawal, co mbined potassium and serum withdrawal, and kainic acid administration. We f ound that hundreds of genes were significantly regulated in discreet waves including known genes whose protein products are involved in PCD. A restric ted set of genes was regulated by all models, providing evidence that signa ls inducing PCD can regulate large assemblages of genes (of which a restric ted subset may be shared in multiple pathways).