Oligodendrocyte Transcription Factor 1 (OLIG1)

The oligodendrocyte lineage transcription factors Olig1 and Olig2, originally identified in rodents. In the rodent central nervous system, they are expressed exclusively in oligodendrocytes and oligodendrocyte precursors, and Olig1 can promote formation of a chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan-positive glial progenitor. Olig2 was required for oligodendrocyte and motor neuron specification in the spinal cord. Olig1 had roles in development and maturation of oligodendrocytes, evident especially within the brain. Both Olig genes contributed to neural pattern formation, and neither Olig gene was required for astrocytes. These findings, together with fate mapping analysis of Olig-expressing cells, indicated that oligodendrocytes are derived from OLIG-specified progenitors that also give rise to neurons.