Abstract: The present invention provides an agent for promoting neuronal differentiation of neural stem cells, which contains a p38 inhibitor. In addition, the present invention provides a method of promoting neuronal differentiation of neural stem cells, which includes cultivating neural stem cells in the presence of a p38 inhibitor. Neural stem cells are gliogenic or neurogenic. The p38 inhibitor is a nucleic acid which hybridizes to DNA or mRNA encoding p38 under physiological conditions, thereby inhibiting the transcription and/or translation thereof, an expression vector of the nucleic acid, a low molecular p38 inhibitor and the like.

Abstract: An agent for promoting neuronal differentiation of a neural stem/progenitor cell includes an inhibitor of function of a COUP-TFI protein and/or a COUP-TFII protein. To promote neuronal differentiation of a neural stem/progenitor cell, the agent is administered to the neural stem/progenitor cell to inhibit function of a COUP-TFI protein and/or a COUP-TFII protein.

Abstract: For a method of inducing differentiation of cardiomyocytes from stem cells, a method is provided to induce efficiently and selectively differentiation of cardiomyocytes by such a method in which the stem cells are cultured to induce differentiation into cardiomyocytes in the presence of a substance that inhibits BMP signaling.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing motor neurons and GABAergic neurons characterized by including suspension-culturing embryonic stem cells in the presence or absence of a protein noggin to form embryoid bodies, selectively amplifying into neural stem cells from them by suspension culture in the presence of a fibroblast growth factor and a sonic hedgehog protein, and then differentiating the same. According to this method, at least motor neurons and GABAergic neurons can be systemically and efficiently produced from ES cells. Selective acquisition of neurons would be applicable to transplant therapy for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Huntington's chorea, Alzheimer's disease, etc.

Abstract: For a method of inducing differentiation of cardiomyocytes from stem cells, a method is provided to induce efficiently and selectively differentiation of cardiomyocytes by such a method in which the stem cells are cultured to induce differentiation into cardiomyocytes in the presence of a substance that inhibits BMP signaling.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing motor neurons and GABAergic neurons characterized by including suspension-culturing embryonic stem cells in the presence or absence of a protein noggin to form embryoid bodies, selectively amplifying into neural stem cells from them by suspension culture in the presence of a fibroblast growth factor and a sonic hedgehog protein, and then differentiating the same. According to this method, at least motor neurons and GABAergic neurons can be systemically and efficiently produced from ES cells. Selective acquisition of neurons would be applicable to transplant therapy for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Huntington's chorea, Alzheimer's disease, etc.