Neurogenic differentiation 1 Adenovirus (Ad-NeuroD1)

Neuro D (also designated BETA 2) is a basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factor functioning in neurogenic differentiation. Neuro D is expressed in pancreatic islet cells and transiently in a subset of neurons in the central and peripheral nervous systems at the time of their terminal differentiation into mature neurons. Moreover, ectopic expression of Neuro D in Xenopus embryos induces premature differentiation of neuronal precursors, and Neuro D can convert presumptive epidermal cells into neurons. BETA 3 is a novel helix-loop-helix protein that can function as a negative regulator of both Neuro D and Myo D-responsive genes. BETA 3 exhibits the highest degree of sequence relatedness with Neuro D and is most highly expressed in lung, kidney and brain cells.