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Updated: Oct 13, 2026
Micro-dissection of Rat Brain for RNA or Protein Extraction from Specific Brain Region
Published on: August 29, 2007
Localization of mRNA for fatty acid transport protein in developing and mature brain of rats
A Utsunomiya1, Y Owada, T Yoshimoto
1Department of Anatomy, Tohoku University School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan.
Abstract:
Gene expression for rat fatty acid transport protein (FATP) and fatty acid translocase (FAT) were examined by Northern and in situ hybridization analysis. In Northern blot analysis of developing brain, FATP mRNA was detected weakly throughout all developing stages without any changes in the expression level, while no gene expression for FAT mRNA was detected at any stages. By in situ hybridization histochemistry, intense expression was seen in the ventricular germinal zone on pre- and perinatal stages, whereas distinct expression was observed in the cerebellar Purkinje and granule cell during postpostnatal development. No expression was detected in the cerebellar external granule cell layer. Because of the high expression of FATP mRNA in the embryonic ventricular zone and the postnatal cerebellar cortical neurons in parallel to the gene expression for fatty acid binding protein (FABP) which we have recently reported, co-operated involvement of FATP and FABP in the active uptake of long-chain fatty acids is plausible in these cells.
Insights
Fatty acid transport protein (FATP) mRNA is present in developing rat brains, particularly in neuronal cells. This suggests FATP may work with fatty acid binding protein (FABP) to transport fatty acids in the brain.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Fatty acid transport proteins are crucial for cellular lipid metabolism.
- Understanding the expression patterns of these proteins is key to elucidating their roles in brain development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the gene expression patterns of rat fatty acid transport protein (FATP) and fatty acid translocase (FAT) in the developing brain.
- To explore the potential co-operative roles of FATP and fatty acid binding protein (FABP) in long-chain fatty acid uptake.
Main Methods:
- Northern blot analysis was used to examine FATP and FAT mRNA levels.
- In situ hybridization histochemistry was employed to determine the spatial and temporal expression of FATP mRNA in the developing rat brain.
Main Results:
- FATP mRNA was detected weakly throughout all developmental stages in the rat brain, with no significant changes in expression.
- FAT mRNA was not detected at any developmental stage.
- Intense FATP mRNA expression was observed in the ventricular germinal zone during pre- and perinatal stages.
- Distinct FATP mRNA expression was found in cerebellar Purkinje and granule cells during postnatal development, but not in the external granule cell layer.
Conclusions:
- FATP is expressed in key areas of the developing rat brain, including neuronal progenitor cells and mature neurons.
- The expression pattern of FATP in the developing brain suggests a role in fatty acid metabolism.
- Co-operative involvement of FATP and FABP in the active uptake of long-chain fatty acids in these cells is plausible.
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