Definition: The oligodendrocyte lineage transcription factors OLIG1 (606385) and OLIG2, originally identified in rodents, encode basic helix-loop-helix transcription factors (HLHs).
In the rodent central nervous system, they are expressed exclusively in oligodendrocytes and oligodendrocyte precursors (Lu et al., 2000; Zhou et al., 2000).
Pursuing the suggestion that novel molecular markers might be found among factors that have roles in glial development (Raff et al., 1983), Lu et al. (2001) found that the human OLIG1/2 genes are expressed strongly in oligodendroglioma, contrasting absent or low expression in astrocytoma.
Their study provided evidence that neoplastic cells of oligodendroglioma resemble oligodendrocytes or their progenitor cells and may derive from cells of this lineage.
Immunochemistry
OLIG2 is a useful immunohistochemical marker in differential diagnosis of clear cell primary CNS neoplasms. (17257132)
- Widespread OLIG2 expression discriminates oligodendroglial neoplasms or DNTs from other clear cell primary brain tumour types. In clear cell primary brain tumours lacking OLIG2 expression, differential diagnosis may require additional immunohistochemical markers. (17257132)
References
OLIG2 is a useful immunohistochemical marker in differential diagnosis of clear cell primary CNS neoplasms. Preusser M, Budka H, Rössler K, Hainfellner JA. Histopathology. 2007 Feb;50(3):365-70. PMID: 17257132
