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Visual input regulates the expression of basic fibroblast growth factor and its receptor
F Gómez-Pinilla1, J Choi, E A Ryba
1Institute for Brain Aging and Dementia and Department of Neurology, University of California, Irvine 92697-4540, USA.
Neuroscience
|May 21, 1999
Summary
Visual sensory input influences brain trophic factors. Dark rearing decreased basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF2) and its receptor (FGFR1) mRNA levels in rats, which recovered with light exposure, impacting brain structure and function.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Molecular Biology
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Brain-derived trophic factors are regulated by neural activity.
- Trophic factors are crucial for CNS development and function.
- Sensory input may modulate trophic factor expression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of visual sensory input on basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF2) and its receptor (FGFR1) expression in the rat brain.
- To determine if changes in sensory experience alter FGF2 and FGFR1 mRNA and protein levels.
Main Methods:
- Rats were dark-reared for seven days and then exposed to light for varying durations (0-6 hours).
- Nuclease protection assays were used to quantify FGF2 and FGFR1 mRNA levels.
- Immunohistochemistry was employed to assess FGF2 and FGFR1 protein expression and localization.
Main Results:
- Dark rearing significantly decreased FGF2 and FGFR1 mRNA levels in the cerebral cortex.
- Progressive increases in FGF2 and FGFR1 mRNA levels were observed with increasing light re-exposure duration.
- Changes in mRNA levels were correlated with alterations in FGF2 and FGFR1 protein staining intensity and cell density.
Conclusions:
- Visual sensory input dynamically regulates the expression of FGF2 and FGFR1 in the rat brain.
- The FGF2 system is responsive to sensory experience, suggesting its role in mediating experience-dependent changes in CNS structure and function.