Characterization of Stearoyl-CoA Desaturase 2 (SCD2) in the Brain of Rodents

Steraroyl-CoA Desaturase (SCD) is a key enzyme in the lipogenesis de novo. SCD2 is the main isoform in the murine central nervous system (CNS), however its anatomical or cellular distribuition is currently unknow. In this work we evaluated SCD2 distribution in ten anatomical regions (spinal cord, cerebellum, cortex, hippocampus, olfactory bulb, thalamus, hypothalamus, midbrain and striatum) of CNS. SCD2 is more abundant in spinal cord, midbrain and hypothalamus and is also present in all cell types analysed (microglia, astrocytes and neurons), including those involved in proliferation (Ki67 and FGF10 positive cells). Thus SCD2 is highly expressed in the murine CNS, and it is expressed in all cell types. All experimental procedures involving mice were approved by the Ethics Committee at the University of Campinas (4138-1) and supported by FAPESP.