Nr2e1 Downregulation Is Involved in Excess Retinoic Acid-induced Developmental Abnormality in the Mouse Brain

Objective This study aimed to investigate the expression pattern and function of Nuclear receptor subfamily 2 group E member 1 （Nr2e1） in retinoic acid （RA）-induced brain abnormality. Methods The mouse model of brain abnormality was established by administering 28 mg/kg RA, and neural stem cells （NSCs） were isolated from the mouse embryo and cultured in vitro. Nr2e1 expression was detected by whole mount in situ hybridization, RT-PCR, and Western blotting. Nr2e1 function was determined by transducing Nr2e1 sh RNA into NSCs, and the effect on the sonic hedgehog （Shh） signaling pathway was assessed in the cells. In addition, the regulation of Nr2e1 expression by RA was also determined in vitro. Results Nr2e1 expression was significantly downregulated in the brain and NSCs of RA-treated mouse embryos, and knockdown of Nr2e1 affected the proliferation of NSCs in vitro. In addition, a similar expression pattern of Nr2e1 and RA receptor （RAR） α was observed after treatment of NSCs with different concentrations of RA. Conclusion Our study demonstrated that Nr2e1 could be regulated by RA, which would aid a better understanding of the mechanism underlying RA-induced brain abnormality.