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Calcium-binding proteins in the dentate gyrus
1Department of Physiology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
Epilepsy Research. Supplement
|January 1, 1992
Summary
Calbindin D28k (CaBP) indicates neuron maturation and decreases with kindling, but does not affect ischemia susceptibility. Parvalbumin (PV) levels are minimally affected by corticosterone but decrease after hypophysectomy.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Neurochemistry
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Calbindin D28k (CaBP) is a marker for dentate granule cell development and maturation in rats.
- Parvalbumin (PV) is found in a specific subpopulation of GABAergic neurons in the hippocampus, appearing late in development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of kindling and hormonal changes on CaBP and PV levels in the rat hippocampus.
- To clarify the role of corticosterone and hypophysectomy on these calcium-binding proteins.
Main Methods:
- Radioimmunoassay was used to measure CaBP and PV levels.
- Experiments involved kindling, adrenalectomy, and hypophysectomy in Wistar and Sprague-Dawley rats.
Main Results:
- Kindling significantly reduced granule cell CaBP but did not alter ischemia susceptibility.
- Corticosterone showed only a small, transient effect on CaBP levels.
- Hypophysectomy led to a notable decrease in PV levels in several brain regions, including the hippocampus.
Conclusions:
- CaBP is a reliable indicator of dentate granule cell maturation, and its reduction by kindling does not increase vulnerability to ischemia.
- Hormonal regulation of CaBP by corticosterone is limited.
- PV levels are significantly impacted by hypophysectomy, suggesting hormonal influence on these neurons.