Cited by 3Neurogenesis and neuroplasticity mechanismsMultiple Sclerosis Research StudiesNeuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration Mechanisms

Neurons sequester the cholesterol-inhibiting TFEB in oligodendrocyte cytoplasm to safeguard myelination and neural function

Open access
Zhang, Yihe, Cheng, Zuolin, Huang, Shiyi, Sharma, Tripti, Barbosa, Daniela, Yu, Guoqiang, Sun, Lu O.·2025·Cell Reports

Abstract

Myelination is essential for normal brain function, yet the mechanisms governing neuron-oligodendrocyte interactions that ensure proper myelination levels remain poorly understood. Here, we identify transcription factor EB (TFEB) as a molecular link that connects extrinsic neuronal cues to intrinsic oligodendrocyte transcriptional programs, regulating central nervous system myelination. Using a TFEB epitope-tagged knock-in mouse model, we find that neurons sequester most of the TFEB protein in the cytoplasm of myelinating oligodendrocytes. Genetic induction of nuclear TFEB in myelinating oligodendrocytes leads to severe hypomyelination and altered neural function. Lastly, cleavage under targets & release using nuclease and functional analyses reveal that TFEB directly binds to the promoter regions of many cholesterol biosynthesis genes and represses their expression, thereby reducing cholesterol levels. Our findings uncover a mechanism by which neurons limit a repressive transcriptional network in oligodendrocytes to ensure proper myelination, highlighting the complex interplay between neuronal signals and glial gene regulation in health and disease.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.celrep.2025.116252

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Authors
Zhang, Y., Cheng, Z., Huang, S., Sharma, T., Barbosa, D., Yu, G., & Sun, L. O.
Affiliations
  • The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center (US)
  • Virginia Tech (US)
  • Tsinghua University (CN)
Venue
Cell Reports
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2025-09
Volume
44
Issue
9
Pages
116252
ISSN
2211-1247 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W4414078565
Cited by
3
References
83
Citations by year
2026: 2 · 2025: 1
FWCI
1.08
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Cell Reports (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative
  • American Heart Association Inc
  • Esther A & Joseph Klingenstein Fund
  • Simons Foundation
  • University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
  • Southwestern Medical Foundation
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Developmental Neuroscience › Neurogenesis and neuroplasticity mechanisms
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pathology and Forensic Medicine › Multiple Sclerosis Research Studies
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Neurology › Neuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration Mechanisms
Keywords
TFEB, myelination, oligodendrocytes, neurons, cholesterol biosynthesis, hypomyelination, transcriptional repression, cholesterol sequestration
MeSH terms
Animals, Cholesterol, Cytoplasm, Myelin Sheath, Neurons, Oligodendroglia, Promoter Regions, Genetic, Mice, Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Leucine Zipper Transcription Factors

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