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Multiple transcripts generated by the DCAMKL gene are expressed in the rat hippocampus
E Vreugdenhil1, B Engels, R Middelburg
1Division of Medical Pharmacology, Center for Drug Research (LACDR), Leiden University, P.O. Box 9503, 2300 RA, Leiden, The Netherlands
Brain Research. Molecular Brain Research
|October 13, 2001
Summary
The Doublecortin CaMK-like kinase (DCAMKL) gene in rats produces multiple protein variants through alternative splicing. These variants are expressed in the hippocampus, potentially regulating neuronal plasticity.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- The Doublecortin CaMK-like kinase (DCAMKL) and CaMK-related peptide (CARP) genes were cloned from rat hippocampus.
- These genes share structural similarities with human DCAMKL-1 and doublecortin, a gene linked to lissencephaly.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the genomic organization and alternative splicing products of the murine DCAMKL gene.
- To understand the expression patterns of different rDCAMKL transcripts in the adult rat hippocampus.
Main Methods:
- Cloning of novel cDNAs (rDCAMKL and CARP).
- Analysis of genomic organization.
- In situ hybridization to determine transcript expression in the hippocampus.
Main Results:
- DCAMKL and CARP are identified as alternative splice products originating from the same gene.
- The DCAMKL gene generates three alternatively-spliced rDCAMKL transcripts, with corresponding cDNAs cloned.
- All identified rDCAMKL transcripts are expressed in the adult rat hippocampus.
Conclusions:
- Alternative splicing of the DCAMKL gene generates diverse, yet similar, proteins in the adult rat hippocampus.
- These protein variants may play distinct but overlapping roles in regulating DCAMKL-mediated neuronal plasticity.