Differential calmodulin gene expression in the nuclei of the rat midbrain-brain stem region

We investigated the expression patterns of the three calmodulin (CaM) genes, using in situ hybridization techniques, to detect gene-specific [(35)S]- and digoxigenin-labeled cRNA probes complementary to the multiple CaM mRNAs in the nuclei of the midbrain-brain stem region of the adult rat. The distinct CaM genes were widely expressed throughout this region with moderate intensities. In spite of the similar general pattern, significant differences in the distributions of the multiple CaM mRNA species were found in certain areas. In general, the CaM III mRNAs were most abundant, followed by the CaM I and CaM II mRNA populations. Most of the transcripts were found in the neuronal somata comprising the medullar nuclei, while much less label was detected in the neuropil. The CaM III mRNAs were more than 2.5 times more abundant than the CaM II mRNAs in the nucleus of the trapezoid body, and more than two times more abundant in the motor trigeminal nucleus, the principal sensory trigeminal nucleus and the olivary nucleus. The CaM III mRNAs were less dominant in the medial lemniscus, the inferior colliculus and the pontine reticular nucleus than those of the other CaM gene-specific transcripts. The CaM mRNA levels were low to moderate, without significant differences, in the mesencephalic trigeminal nucleus. The differential control of the expression of the CaM genes may contribute to the regulation of the multiple neuronal functions linked to this complex brain region and regulated by different CaM-dependent mechanisms via its target proteins.