Doublecortin

Doublecortin (DCX) is a microtubule-associated protein expressed almost exclusively in immature neurons. Neuronal precursors begin to express DCX shortly after exiting the cell cycle, and continue to express DCX for 2-3 weeks as the cells mature into neurons. Downregulation of DCX begins after 2 weeks, and occurs at the same time that these cells begin to express, a marker for mature neurons.^[1]

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Due to the nearly exclusive expression of DCX in developing neurons, this protein has been used increasingly as a marker for neurogenesis. Indeed, the levels of DCX expression increase in response to exercise,^[2] which occurs in parallel with increased BrdU labelling, currently a "gold standard" in measuring neurogenesis.

See also

• Lissencephaly

References

1. ^ Brown JP, Couillard-Despres S, Cooper-Kuhn CM, Winkler J, Aigner L, Kuhn HG. (2003) Transient expression of doublecortin during adult neurogenesis. J Comp Neurol. Dec 1;467(1):1-10.
2. ^ Couillard-Despres S, Winner B, Schaubeck S, Aigner R, Vroemen M, Weidner N, Bogdahn U, Winkler J, Kuhn HG, Aigner L. (2005) Doublecortin expression levels in adult brain reflect neurogenesis. Eur J Neurosci. Jan;21(1):1-14.