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Detection of p75 mRNA in developing marsupial CNS by cross-hybridization with rat oligonucleotide probes
1Department of Pharmacology, Biozentrum, University of Basel, CH-4056, Basel, Switzerland.
Abstract:
We analyzed the distribution of mRNAs encoding the low-affinity neurotrophin receptor (p75) in the CNS of adult and neonatal opossum (Monodelphis demestica) by in situ hybridization with oligodeoxynucleotide probes complementary to cloned rat sequences. During the first 2 postnatal weeks high levels of p75 message were present in the mantle zone throughout the neural tube, in basal forebrain neurons, in motoneurons, and in cerebellar cell layers. Transcript expression decreased with age. In adult CNS only a few cells in the basal forebrain expressed high levels of p75 mRNA. Nerve growth factor upregulated p75 mRNA signals in dorsal root ganglia of cultured 7 day old whole-CNS preparations. Our results indicate the usefulness of rat p75 oligodexynucleotide probes to identify homologous species of transcripts in the CNS of a non-eutherian mammal.
Insights
This study mapped the low-affinity neurotrophin receptor (p75) mRNA in opossum brains, finding high expression in neonates that decreased with age. Rat probes effectively identified these transcripts in a non-eutherian mammal.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- The low-affinity neurotrophin receptor, p75, plays a crucial role in neuronal development and survival.
- Understanding p75 distribution is key to deciphering neurotrophin signaling pathways in the central nervous system (CNS).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the developmental expression pattern of p75 mRNA in the CNS of the opossum (Monodelphis demestica).
- To assess the utility of rat-derived oligodeoxynucleotide probes for detecting homologous p75 transcripts in a non-eutherian mammal.
Main Methods:
- In situ hybridization was employed using oligodeoxynucleotide probes specific to rat p75 sequences.
- Analysis was conducted on both neonatal and adult opossum CNS tissues.
- Cultured whole-CNS preparations from neonatal opossums were used to examine nerve growth factor's effect on p75 mRNA.
Main Results:
- High levels of p75 mRNA were observed in the neonatal opossum CNS, including the neural tube, basal forebrain, motoneurons, and cerebellar layers.
- p75 transcript expression significantly decreased with age, with only sparse expression in adult basal forebrain neurons.
- Nerve growth factor treatment upregulated p75 mRNA in cultured dorsal root ganglia.
Conclusions:
- The study successfully mapped the developmental expression of p75 mRNA in the opossum CNS.
- Rat p75 probes are effective tools for identifying homologous transcripts in non-eutherian mammals, facilitating comparative neuroscience research.
- The findings highlight the dynamic role of p75 during CNS development and its regulation by neurotrophic factors.