Open AccessDevelopment and regional expression of beta nerve growth factor messenger RNA and protein in the rat central nervous system.
Author(s) -
Scott R. Whittemore,
Ted Ebendal,
Lena Lärkfors,
Lar̀s Olson,
Åke Seiger,
Ingrid Strömberg,
Håkan Persson
Publication year - 1986
Publication title -
proceedings of the national academy of sciences of the united states of america
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.011
H-Index - 771
eISSN - 1091-6490
pISSN - 0027-8424
DOI - 10.1073/pnas.83.3.817
Subject(s) - nerve growth factor , olfactory bulb , medicine , messenger rna , endocrinology , central nervous system , biology , in situ hybridization , cerebral cortex , hippocampus , northern blot , immunohistochemistry , microbiology and biotechnology , receptor , biochemistry , gene
The presence of nerve growth factor (NGF) mRNA and protein in the rat central nervous system is documented. Blot-hybridization analysis showed an abundance of NGF mRNA in the hippocampus, cerebral cortex, and olfactory bulb. Enzyme immunoassay confirmed significant levels of a NGF-like protein in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex. Bioassay of a NGF-like immunoaffinity-purified protein from these regions was physiologically indistinguishable from NGF. Immunohistochemistry revealed a widespread distribution of NGF-like reactivity in the adult brain, preferentially in fiber tracts. NGF mRNA accumulation began at birth, with adult levels reached 3 weeks postnatally. Enzyme immunoassay detected the presence of a NGF-like protein in the embryonic rat brain. Postnatally, the level of NGF-like protein reached a maximum at 3 weeks. Additionally, a distinct fetal form of NGF may exist.