Question

What is BrdU and how can you test the effect of each phase in neurogenesis? Why could it be used in this way for each phase including proliferation, migration, survival and differentiation? Please explain how BrdU can be used in each of these phases of neurogenesis.

Answer 1

The nucleoside thymidine forms the pyrimidine base thyamine in the DNA. To study the cell lines and primary cell cultures, BrdU [Bromodeoxyuridine/5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine] is used as an analog of thymidine in BrdU assays to identify proliferating cells. It can be incorporated into the newly synthesized DNA of replicating cells during the S-phase of the cell cycle. Binding of BrdU requires denaturing of the DNA molecule by exposing the cell to acid or heat.

Neurogenesis is a process by which nerve cells or neurons are produced by neural stem cells [NCS].Neurogenesis can be initiated by damage or destruction of nerve cells in the brain. Neurogenesis is crucial when an embryo is developing and also in certain brain regions after birth and even throughout life. However, neurogenesis is much faster at the embryonic stage than other stages.

The immunofluorescent labelling of BrdU and some neuron markers, researchers were able to trace the cell pathway of neurogenesis. It was determined that new neurons were generated from dividing progenitor cells in the dentate gyrus of the human brain. It also proved that the human hippocampus can generate neurons throughout life.

BrdU is used as a lineage tracer in neurogenesis and has made it possible to understand the timing and pattern of neurogenesis in developing embryos at each stage, that is, proliferation, migration, survival and differentiation.