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Related Experiment Videos

Developmental switch in brain nutrient transporter expression in the rat.

Susan J Vannucci1, Ian A Simpson

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, University, New York, New York 10032, USA. sv2020@columbia.edu

American Journal of Physiology. Endocrinology and Metabolism
|October 10, 2003
PubMed
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Brain fuel metabolism shifts from ketone bodies and glucose in infants to primarily glucose in adults. Monocarboxylic acid transporter (MCT) expression in the blood-brain barrier (BBB) decreases with age, while nonvascular MCT levels remain constant, suggesting a complex role in adult brain energy.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Biochemistry
  • Developmental Biology

Background:

  • Brain development involves a shift in primary metabolic fuel from ketone bodies and glucose to predominantly glucose.
  • Glucose and monocarboxylic acid transporter proteins (GLUTs and MCTs) are crucial for transporting these fuels across the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and within the brain.
  • Previous studies suggested MCT expression peaks during suckling and declines, but detailed developmental studies were lacking.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the temporal and regional expression of MCT1 and MCT2 mRNA and protein in the rat BBB and nonvascular brain during postnatal development.
  • To understand the role of MCTs in brain energy metabolism during maturation and in the adult brain.

Main Methods:

  • Quantitative analysis of MCT1 and MCT2 mRNA and protein expression.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Studied expression in both the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and vascular-free brain regions.
  • Examined expression patterns throughout postnatal development in rats.

    • Main Results:

    • Maximal MCT1 mRNA and protein expression in the BBB was observed during the suckling period, declining with maturation.
    • Nonvascular MCT1 and MCT2 levels did not directly correlate with the shift in cerebral energy metabolism towards glucose.
    • MCT1 showed predominantly glial expression, while MCT2 was localized to neurons in the postweanling brain, with relatively constant concentrations.

    Conclusions:

    • MCT1 expression in the BBB decreases post-suckling, aligning with the brain's reduced reliance on ketone bodies.
    • Constant nonvascular MCT1 and MCT2 levels in adult brains suggest a significant role in transferring glycolytic intermediates, alongside GLUTs, in neurons and astrocytes.
    • The regulation of nonvascular MCTs in cerebral energy metabolism is more complex than previously assumed.