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Published on: April 3, 2013
Differential expression analysis throughout the weaning period in the mouse cerebral cortex
Naohiro Maeda1, Shinpei Kawakami, Makoto Ohmoto
1Department of Applied Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 1-1-1 Yayoi, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan.
Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications
|January 22, 2013
Summary
Weaning alters mouse brain gene expression, particularly in the cerebral cortex. Novel food experiences during this transition impact cognitive functions by changing gene activity.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Molecular Biology
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Mammalian development involves a critical transition from maternal milk to environmental food sources.
- This weaning process exposes young mammals to novel tastes and textures, potentially influencing cognitive development.
- The cerebral cortex, crucial for cognition and learning, is a key area affected by these developmental changes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how weaning impacts gene expression profiles in the mouse cerebral cortex.
- To identify specific genes and pathways modulated by the transition to solid food.
- To understand the molecular mechanisms underlying cognitive adaptation during weaning.
Main Methods:
- Whole-gene expression profiling using microarray analysis on mouse cerebral cortex samples before and after weaning.
- Quantitative analysis of gene expression changes, identifying upregulated and downregulated genes.
- In situ hybridization to localize specific gene mRNA (Egr-2/KROX-20) within the somatosensory cortex.
Main Results:
- Out of 45,037 analyzed genes, 35 were upregulated and 31 downregulated in response to weaning.
- Upregulated genes included immediate early genes, molecular chaperones, and myelin-related genes.
- Egr-2/KROX-20 mRNA translocated from the nucleus to the cell body in the somatosensory cortex upon weaning, but remained nuclear in milk-fed controls.
Conclusions:
- The novel experience of consuming environmental foods significantly modulates gene expression in the murine cerebral cortex during the weaning stage.
- Specific genes, including immediate early genes like Egr-2/KROX-20, show altered expression and localization patterns correlating with the introduction of solid food.
- These findings suggest a molecular basis for how early-life dietary experiences shape cognitive development and brain function.
