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Age-related decrease in brain-derived neurotrophic factor gene expression in the brain of the zitter rat with genetic
1Department of Molecular Biology, Tottori University Faculty of Medicine, Yonago, Japan.
Neuroscience Letters
|September 7, 1999
Summary
Zitter rats show reduced brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene expression and lower mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) Erk2 activity, suggesting a MAPK pathway role in this neuropathology.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Genetics
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Zitter rats develop age-related neuronal degradation and spongiform encephalopathy.
- Neurotrophic factors are crucial for neuronal health and function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of neurotrophic factor expression in zitter rat neuropathology.
- To quantify mRNA levels of key neurotrophic factors in the zitter rat brain.
Main Methods:
- Quantitative analysis of mRNA levels for nerve growth factor, BDNF, neurotrophin-3, CNTF, and GDNF.
- Assessed MAPK Erk2 kinase activity and protein expression in different brain regions.
Main Results:
- Significantly lower BDNF gene expression was observed in the cerebrum, cerebellum, and brainstem of zitter rats.
- Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) Erk2 kinase activity was downregulated, while MAPK protein levels remained unchanged.
Conclusions:
- The findings suggest a potential involvement of the MAPK pathway in the reduction of BDNF mRNA in the zitter rat brain.
- This pathway may contribute to the neuropathological changes observed in zitter rats.