Details for: CL0000706

Cell ID: CL0000706

Cell Name: choroid plexus epithelial cell

Description: A choroid plexus epithelial cell possesses non-motile 9+0 cilia. While these cilia can exhibit transient motility during development, they generally do not contribute significantly to the directional flow of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Instead, they are primarily involved in sensory functions.

Synonyms: epithelial cell of choroid plexus, choroid plexus cell

Selected Context(s): Overall

Gene Significance Landscape

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Genes

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Cell Significance Index (CSI) is uniquely calculated to reveal cell-specific gene markers. More info here

Significant Genes List

Genes with the highest and lowest Percentile Rank Scores (PRS) for choroid plexus epithelial cell within the selected context(s).

Gene ID: A unique numerical identifier for this specific gene.
Symbol: Shortened abbreviation or name that represents this gene.
Ensembl Gene ID: A unique identifier assigned by Ensembl for genomic data mapping.
CSI Score: A combined effect size and statistical significance measure for choroid plexus epithelial cell. Higher scores indicate a stronger, more significant difference in expression.
(Previously described as "Fold Change", but now represents Cliff's Delta × –log10(p).)

Gene ID: A unique numerical identifier for this specific gene.
Symbol: Shortened abbreviation or name that represents this gene.
Ensembl Gene ID: A unique identifier assigned by Ensembl for genomic data mapping.
CSI Score: A combined effect size and statistical significance measure for choroid plexus epithelial cell. Higher scores indicate a stronger, more significant difference in expression.
Average CSI: csi sum / gene count
Cell network configuration

This network visualizes key genes for choroid plexus epithelial cell. It primarily includes:
1. Top genes highly significant for this cell (Num. Top Cell Genes - based on the 'Min. CSI' setting).
2. Any additional specific 'Context Genes' you add below.
The final network is a combined view. Choose an Interaction Source (pathways or protein interactions) and optionally compare CSI scores with a Baseline Cell Type.

Maximum number of selected genes.
Select a context for the baseline cell.
Select a context for the target cell.
Target Cell for CSI:  choroid plexus epithelial cell (CL0000706)

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Nodes (Genes):
 Query Gene
Node size also reflects Target Cell CSI magnitude.
Node Color (Target Cell CSI in specific network):
 Very High
 High
 Medium
 Low
 Very Low
 N/A or Not Sig.
Edges (Interactions):
 STRING (Protein-Protein)
 ONTOLOGY (Shared Pathway)
 Colors vary by pathway category; default arrow applies.

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## Summary The [choroid plexus epithelial cell](/details-cell/CL0000706) is a specialized cell type forming the barrier between the blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Based on its gene significance profile, this cell is characterized by a unique and highly specific expression of genes involved in neural signaling, ion transport, and complex RNA processing. The high specificity scores (`csi_z`) for genes like `[NRG3](/details-gene/10718)`, a neural growth factor, and `[ATP2B2](/details-gene/491)`, a plasma membrane calcium pump, underscore its primary role in actively sensing and regulating the neurochemical environment of the central nervous system through the meticulous control of CSF composition. ## Key Characteristics and Function Analysis of the top marker genes in the **Overall** context reveals several core functional clusters that define the [choroid plexus epithelial cell](/details-cell/CL0000706). * **Neuro-Sensory and Signaling Hub:** The cell exhibits a distinct signature of a neuro-responsive tissue. The most specific marker is `[NRG3](/details-gene/10718)`, a ligand for the ErbB4 receptor tyrosine kinase, suggesting a role in neurodevelopment or cell-cell communication within the CNS [Link](https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.94.18.9562). This is complemented by the highly specific expression of the serotonin receptor `[HTR2C](/details-gene/3358)`, positioning the cell as a key sensor for neurotransmitter levels. The presence of other CNS-associated genes like `[SH3GL3](/details-gene/6457)` and `[LINGO2](/details-gene/158038)` further solidifies its identity as an active participant in neural signaling networks. * **Ion and Solute Homeostasis:** A primary function of this cell is the regulation of CSF composition, which is strongly supported by the data. The high specificity of `[ATP2B2](/details-gene/491)`, a critical calcium pump, highlights the cell's role in maintaining precise calcium gradients between the blood and CSF. Furthermore, the prominence of `[DGKI](/details-gene/9162)` (diacylglycerol kinase iota) suggests tight regulation of lipid-based second messenger systems, which are often coupled to ion channel activity. Genes related to mitochondrial energy production, such as `[COX2](/details-gene/4513)` and `[ND5](/details-gene/4540)`, are also significant, consistent with the high metabolic demand required for active transport processes. * **Post-Transcriptional Regulation:** A notable and potentially underappreciated characteristic is the specific expression of a large cohort of RNA-binding proteins and helicases. Genes such as `[DDX5](/details-gene/1655)`, `[PABPC1](/details-gene/26986)`, `[DDX17](/details-gene/10521)`, `[HNRNPA1](/details-gene/3178)`, and `[HNRNPC](/details-gene/3183)` all score as significant markers. This enrichment suggests that complex, cell-type-specific alternative splicing and mRNA regulation are fundamental to establishing and maintaining the unique proteome of the choroid plexus epithelium, likely affecting secreted factors and membrane transporters. * **Structural Identity:** The cell's described ciliary structure is supported by the specific expression of `[TEKT1](/details-gene/83659)`, a component of axonemal microtubules. The low significance (anti-marker status) of genes associated with immune presentation (`[B2M](/details-gene/567)`) or broad stress responses (`[JUN](/details-gene/3725)`) is consistent with its role as a stable, immune-privileged barrier cell under homeostatic conditions. ## Clinical Significance and Contextual Roles The gene signature of the [choroid plexus epithelial cell](/details-cell/CL0000706) provides direct links to neurological and psychiatric disorders. The high specificity of the serotonin receptor `[HTR2C](/details-gene/3358)` is clinically relevant, as this receptor is a target for atypical antipsychotics and other psychotropic medications. This suggests that the choroid plexus's modulation of CSF may be a component of these drugs' therapeutic mechanisms. Similarly, `[NRG3](/details-gene/10718)` has been genetically associated with neuropsychiatric conditions like schizophrenia, implicating choroid plexus dysfunction in the pathophysiology of these disorders. Dysregulation of ion transport, underscored by the specific expression of `[ATP2B2](/details-gene/491)`, can have profound consequences for neuronal excitability and overall brain health. Pathologies affecting the function of this and other transporters in the choroid plexus could contribute to conditions ranging from hydrocephalus to neurodegenerative diseases by altering the supportive environment provided by the CSF. The enrichment for mitochondrial genes (`[COX2](/details-gene/4513)`, `[ND5](/details-gene/4540)`) also suggests that this cell type may be vulnerable to mitochondrial dysfunction, a hallmark of many age-related neurological disorders. ## Potential Mechanisms and Research Directions 1. **Hypothesis:** The choroid plexus epithelium utilizes a highly specific and active program of post-transcriptional regulation, driven by RNA helicases and binding proteins like `[DDX5](/details-gene/1655)` and `[HNRNPA1](/details-gene/3178)`, to dynamically control the isoform expression of its secretome and membrane transporters. This mechanism allows it to fine-tune the composition of the CSF in response to subtle physiological changes in the brain. * **Surprising Findings:** It is unexpected that ubiquitously expressed gene families involved in RNA processing would serve as such specific identity markers for a cell type. This suggests they are not merely performing housekeeping functions but have adopted specialized roles in defining the unique transcriptome and proteome of the choroid plexus. * **Testable Questions:** Does targeted inhibition of `[DDX5](/details-gene/1655)` in a choroid plexus organoid model alter the splicing patterns of key CSF proteins (e.g., transthyretin) or ion transporters (`[ATP2B2](/details-gene/491)`)? 2. **Hypothesis:** The [choroid plexus epithelial cell](/details-cell/CL0000706) functions as a critical neuro-endocrine integrator at the brain-CSF interface. It senses CNS neurotransmitter and neuropeptide levels via highly specific receptors like `[HTR2C](/details-gene/3358)` and the ErbB4 receptor (target of `[NRG3](/details-gene/10718)`) and transduces these signals into changes in ion transport and fluid secretion, thereby actively modulating the brain's extracellular milieu. * **Surprising Findings:** The data suggest that the cell's identity is defined as much by its sensory and signaling machinery as by its fluid-transporting capabilities. The extreme specificity (`Effect Size: +1.0000`) of `[NRG3](/details-gene/10718)` and `[HTR2C](/details-gene/3358)` indicates these are not just incidental receptors but core components of the cell's functional identity. * **Testable Questions:** Using live-cell imaging and electrophysiology on isolated choroid plexus tissue, does the application of serotonin or `[NRG3](/details-gene/10718)` lead to measurable changes in intracellular calcium dynamics and ion transport rates across the epithelial layer?