SRF transcriptionally regulates the oligodendrocyte cytoskeleton during CNS myelination (RNA-Seq)

Myelination of neuronal axons is essential for nervous system development. Myelination requires dramatic cytoskeletal dynamics in oligodendrocytes, but how actin is regulated during myelination is poorly understood. We recently identified serum response factor (SRF)—a transcription factor known to regulate expression of actin and actin regulators in other cell types—as a critical driver of myelination in the aged brain. Yet, a major gap remains in understanding the fundamental role of SRF in oligodendrocyte lineage cells. Here we show that SRF is required cell autonomously in oligodendrocytes for myelination during development. Combining ChIP-seq with RNA-seq identifies SRF-target genes in OPCs and oligodendrocytes that include actin and other key cytoskeletal genes. Accordingly, SRF knockout oligodendrocytes exhibit dramatically reduced actin filament levels early in differentiation, consistent with its role in actin-dependent myelin sheath initiation. Together, our findings identify SRF as a transcriptional regulator that controls the expression of cytoskeletal genes required in oligodendrocytes for myelination. This study identifies a novel pathway regulating oligodendrocyte biology with high relevance to brain development, aging, and disease. Overall design: To investigate the effect of missing SRF on myelation, we established mesenchymal stem cells in which SRF has been knocked down using Olig2-Cre.