Genome-wide identification of target genes for the transcription factors Nkx2.2 and Zfp488 in differentiating CG4 cells as a model for differentiating oligodendrocytes

In an attempt to validate the CG4 cell line as a model for oligodendrocytes, we determined the expression profiles in both cell types and the alterations during differentiation and found a striking overlap. Using CG4 cells as a model system for oligodendroglial cells, we generated several Nkx2.2 and Zfp488 overexpressing CG4 lines and compared their expression profile under differentiating conditions to regular CG4 cells to identify target genes of the two transcription factors in a genome-wide and unbiased approach. Several target genes were shared between Nkx2.2 and Zfp488, among them Gpr37. Overall design: We generated mRNA profiles of control (pCAG-IRES-EGFP transduced), Zfp488 (pCAG-myc-Zfp488-IRES-EGFP transduced) and Nkx2.2 (pCAGT7-Nkx2.2-IRES-EGFP transduced) overexpressing CG4 cells after 3 days of differentiation using the Illumina NovaSeq 6000, PE 2x150 platform. Transcriptomic profiles of primary rat oligodendroglia under proliferative and differentiating conditions (3 days) were genereted on the Illumina NovaSeq 6000, PE 2x150 platform as well. Transcriptomic profiles of wild-type CG4 cells under proliferative conditions resulted from sequencing on an Illumina NovaSeq 6000, PE 2x100 platform.