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Updated: May 10, 2026
Detection of G Protein-coupled Receptor Expression in Mouse Vagal Afferent Neurons using Multiplex In Situ Hybridization
Published on: September 20, 2021
Growth arrest specific 1 (GAS1) is abundantly expressed in the adult mouse central nervous system
Natanael Zarco1, Elizabeth Bautista, Manola Cuéllar
1Departamento de Fisiología, Biofísica y Neurociencias, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del IPN (NZ,EB,PV,PF-R,JS).
Abstract:
Growth arrest specific 1 (GAS1) is a pleiotropic protein that induces apoptosis and cell arrest in different tumors, but it is also involved in the development of the nervous system and other tissues and organs. This dual ability is likely caused by its capacity to interact both by inhibiting the intracellular signaling cascade induced by glial cell-line derived neurotrophic factor and by facilitating the activity of the sonic hedgehog pathway. The presence of GAS1 mRNA has been described in adult mouse brain, and here we corroborated this observation. We then proceeded to determine the distribution of the protein in the adult central nervous system (CNS). We detected, by western blot analysis, expression of GAS1 in olfactory bulb, caudate-putamen, cerebral cortex, hippocampus, mesencephalon, medulla oblongata, cerebellum, and cervical spinal cord. To more carefully map the expression of GAS1, we performed double-label immunohistochemistry and noticed expression of GAS1 in neurons in all brain areas examined. We also observed expression of GAS1 in astroglial cells, albeit the pattern of expression was more restricted than that seen in neurons. Briefly, in the present article, we report the widespread distribution and cellular localization of the GAS1 native protein in adult mammalian CNS.
Insights
Growth arrest specific 1 (GAS1) protein is found throughout the adult mammalian central nervous system (CNS). This study maps GAS1 protein distribution in neurons and astroglial cells across various brain regions.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Growth arrest specific 1 (GAS1) is a pleiotropic protein with dual roles in tumor suppression and tissue development.
- GAS1 influences cellular signaling by interacting with pathways like glial cell-line derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and sonic hedgehog (Shh).
- Previous studies confirmed GAS1 mRNA in the adult mouse brain, but protein distribution was less understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the distribution and cellular localization of the native GAS1 protein in the adult mammalian central nervous system (CNS).
- To provide a detailed map of GAS1 protein expression in various CNS regions and cell types.
Main Methods:
- Western blot analysis to detect GAS1 protein expression in different brain regions.
- Double-label immunohistochemistry to identify the specific cell types expressing GAS1.
Main Results:
- GAS1 protein was detected in multiple adult mouse brain regions, including the olfactory bulb, caudate-putamen, cerebral cortex, hippocampus, mesencephalon, medulla oblongata, cerebellum, and cervical spinal cord.
- GAS1 was found to be expressed in neurons across all examined brain areas.
- GAS1 expression was also observed in astroglial cells, though its pattern was more restricted compared to neuronal expression.
Conclusions:
- The GAS1 native protein is widely distributed throughout the adult mammalian CNS.
- GAS1 is present in both neurons and astroglial cells, indicating diverse functional roles in the mature central nervous system.
