Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 23, 2026
Combining Multiplex Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization with Fluorescent Immunohistochemistry on Fresh Frozen or Fixed Mouse Brain Sections
Published on: June 25, 2021
Immunohistochemical Mapping of TRK-Fused Gene Products in the Rat Brainstem
Shigeko Takeuchi1, Chiaki Masuda, Hisae Maebayashi
1Molecular Neuroscience Research Center, Shiga University of Medical Science, Seta Tsukinowa-cho, Otsu 520-2192, Japan.
Abstract:
The TRK-fused gene (TFG in human, Tfg in rat) was originally identified in human papillary thyroid cancer as a chimeric form of the NTRK1 gene. It was since reported that the gene product (TFG) plays a role in regulating phosphotyrosine-specific phosphatase-1 activity. As shown in the accompanying paper, we produced an antibody to rat TFG and used it to localize TFG to selected neurons in specific regions. In the present study, we mapped the TFG-positive neurons in the brainstem, cerebellum, and spinal cord of rats. In the brainstem, neurons intensely positive for TFG were distributed in the raphe nuclei, the gigantocellular reticular nucleus, the reticulotegmental nucleus of the pons, and some cranial nerve nuclei such as the trigeminal nuclei, the vestibulocochlear nuclei, and the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus. Purkinje cells in the cerebellum and motor neurons in the spinal anterior horn were also positive for TFG. These results provide fundamental data for studying the functions of TFG in the brain.
Insights
The TRK-fused gene (TFG) is localized in specific rat neurons, including brainstem, cerebellum, and spinal cord regions. This mapping provides foundational data for understanding TFG
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- The TRK-fused gene (TFG) was initially identified in papillary thyroid cancer.
- TFG protein is implicated in regulating phosphotyrosine-specific phosphatase-1 activity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To map the distribution of TFG-positive neurons in the rat brainstem, cerebellum, and spinal cord.
- To provide foundational data for investigating the functional roles of TFG in the central nervous system.
Main Methods:
- Production of a specific antibody against rat TFG.
- Immunohistochemical localization of TFG in rat brain and spinal cord tissues.
Main Results:
- TFG was localized to specific neuronal populations within the brainstem, including raphe nuclei and cranial nerve nuclei.
- Purkinje cells in the cerebellum and motor neurons in the spinal cord anterior horn were identified as TFG-positive.
- Detailed mapping revealed TFG distribution in the gigantocellular reticular nucleus and reticulotegmental nucleus of the pons.
Conclusions:
- The study successfully mapped TFG-positive neurons across key regions of the rat central nervous system.
- These findings establish a crucial anatomical basis for future research into TFG's neurological functions.
