Transglutaminase activity in rat brain: characterization, distribution, and changes with age

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Transglutaminase enzymes play crucial roles in cellular processes.
• Understanding their distribution and activity in the brain is vital for neuroscience research.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize transglutaminase activity in adult rat brains.
• To investigate the enzyme's subcellular localization and developmental changes in the cerebellum.

Main Methods:

• Differential centrifugation was used to isolate subcellular fractions.
• Enzyme kinetics were analyzed, including pH and substrate dependency.
• Inhibitory effects of metal ions were assessed.

Main Results:

• Comparable transglutaminase activity was found across adult rat brain regions.
• The soluble fraction exhibited the highest specific activity, with significant activity also in synaptosomes.
• Enzyme activity peaked post-birth in the cerebellum and declined significantly by day 14.

Conclusions:

• Transglutaminase is widely distributed in the adult rat brain, particularly in soluble and synaptosomal fractions.
• Cerebellar transglutaminase activity undergoes significant developmental regulation post-birth.