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Expression pattern of mUBPy in the brain and sensory organs of mouse during embryonic development
Marta d'Amora1, Cristiano Angelini, Maria Grazia Aluigi
1Department of Biology, University of Genova, Genova, Italy.
Abstract:
Mouse UBPy (mUBPy) belongs to the family of ubiquitin-specific processing proteases (UBPs). In this study we have investigated the expression of mUBPy in the brain and sensory organs of mouse at different embryonic stages (E9, E11, E13, E15, E17, E19) and during the postnatal stages P0, P1, P2, P4 and P5 using Western blot and immunohistochemistry. mUBPy-immunoreactive cell bodies first appeared at stage E11 in several brain regions, particularly in the walls surrounding the vesicles and the ventricles. Subsequently, at stage E13, new mUBPy-positive cells appeared in the corpus striatum, the caudate nucleus, the thalamus, the epithalamus, the hypothalamus and the pons. At E15 the mUBPy pattern was very similar to that observed at E13, whereas at stage E17 mUBPy-immunoreactivity significantly decreased and a high number of mUBPy-immunoreactive cells was found only to line the third ventricle and within the mantle layer of the fourth ventricle. At E19 and P0, no mUBPy-immunoreactive element was found in the brain. At the postnatal stages P2 and P5, mUBPy-positive cells were detected in all subdivisions of the brain, with high concentrations in several cortex regions. Double labeling with the mUBPy antiserum and antisera against specific cell markers showed that the enzyme is expressed both in neurons and astrocytes. Outside the brain, mUBPy was detected, from stage E11, in the eye, within the lens and the cornea, in the inner ear, at the level of the cochlear and vestibular systems and in the olfactory epithelium. The spatio-temporal expression of mUBPy suggests that the enzyme may be involved in neuroregulatory processes during embryogenesis.
Insights
Mouse ubiquitin-specific processing protease (mUBPy) expression was mapped in the brain and sensory organs during development. The enzyme is found in neurons and astrocytes, suggesting a role in neuroregulation.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Ubiquitin-specific processing proteases (UBPs) are crucial enzymes in protein homeostasis.
- Mouse UBPy (mUBPy) is a member of the UBP family, but its developmental expression pattern is largely unknown.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the spatio-temporal expression of mUBPy in the mouse brain and sensory organs during embryonic and postnatal development.
- To determine the cell types expressing mUBPy.
Main Methods:
- Western blot analysis
- Immunohistochemistry using mUBPy antiserum
- Double labeling with cell-specific markers
Main Results:
- mUBPy expression was detected in various brain regions starting from embryonic day 11 (E11), with distinct patterns at different developmental stages.
- Expression decreased significantly by E17 and was absent at E19/P0, but reappeared in postnatal stages (P2, P5) in all brain subdivisions, particularly the cortex.
- mUBPy was also found in the developing eye, inner ear, and olfactory epithelium.
- Double labeling confirmed mUBPy expression in both neurons and astrocytes.
Conclusions:
- The dynamic spatio-temporal expression of mUBPy during mouse development suggests its involvement in critical neuroregulatory processes.
- mUBPy's presence in both neurons and astrocytes indicates a broad role in neural development and function.
