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Absence of c-fos induction in neonatal rat brain after seizures
S S Schreiber1, G Tocco, I Najm
1Department of Neurology, University of Southern California, School of Medicine, Los Angeles 90033.
Insights
Proto-oncogene c-fos expression, a marker for neuronal activity, develops postnatally in rats. Seizures after postnatal day 13 gradually increase c-fos in the hippocampus and cortex, suggesting developmental changes in stimulus-transcription coupling.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Molecular Biology
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Proto-oncogene c-fos expression is a widely recognized indicator of increased neuronal activity.
- Understanding the developmental regulation of c-fos is crucial for comprehending neuronal plasticity and response to stimuli.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the temporal pattern of c-fos gene expression in rat limbic structures following kainic acid-induced seizures during the postnatal developmental period.
- To explore the relationship between the maturation of c-fos expression and seizure-induced neuronal damage susceptibility.
Main Methods:
- In situ hybridization was employed to visualize and quantify c-fos expression patterns in specific brain regions.
- Nuclear run-off transcription assays were utilized to corroborate findings at the transcriptional level.
Main Results:
- No significant c-fos induction was observed in limbic structures prior to postnatal day 13 (P13) in response to seizures.
- A progressive increase in c-fos expression was detected in hippocampal and cortical structures between P13 and P25.
- These developmental changes in c-fos expression were confirmed by nuclear run-off transcription assays.
Conclusions:
- The capacity for stimulus-transcription coupling, as indicated by c-fos induction, undergoes significant maturation during postnatal development in the rat.
- The developmental trajectory of c-fos expression may be linked to the observed increase in susceptibility of certain neuronal populations to seizure-induced damage during this period.
Abstract:
Induction of the proto-oncogene c-fos is often considered to be a marker of increased neuronal activity. We have used in situ hybridization to study the pattern of c-fos expression in limbic structures following kainic acid-induced seizures during the postnatal period in the rat. Prior to postnatal day 13 (P13), seizure activity did not result in c-fos induction in any limbic structure. Between P13 and P25, a gradual increase in c-fos expression was observed in hippocampus and cortical structures. These results were corroborated by nuclear run-off transcription assay. Thus, alterations in c-fos transcription that may facilitate stimulus-transcription coupling occur during postnatal development. The possible relationship between the postnatal maturation of c-fos expression and the increase in susceptibility of specific neuronal populations to seizure-induced cell damage is discussed.