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Expression pattern of stop lacZ reporter gene in adult and developing mouse brain
Author(s) -
Couégnas Alice,
Schweitzer Annie,
Andrieux Annie,
Ghandour M. Said,
Boehm Nelly
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
journal of neuroscience research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.72
H-Index - 160
eISSN - 1097-4547
pISSN - 0360-4012
DOI - 10.1002/jnr.21278
Subject(s) - biology , striatum , habenula , neuroscience , immunostaining , reporter gene , microbiology and biotechnology , interpeduncular nucleus , gene expression , gene , midbrain , central nervous system , genetics , immunohistochemistry , dopamine , immunology
Stable tubulin‐only polypeptide (STOP) proteins are microtubule‐associated proteins responsible for microtubule stabilization in neurons. STOP null mice show apparently normal cerebral anatomy but display synaptic defects associated with neuroleptic‐sensitive behavioral disorders. STOP null mice have therefore been proposed as an animal model for the study of schizophrenia. In the present study, the expression pattern of STOP gene in developing and adult brain has been examined by using lacZ gene inserted in the STOP locus, as a reporter gene. β‐Galactosidase (β‐gal) immunostaining was confined to neuronal cells and projections. Strong labeling was observed in the whole olfactory system, cortical layer VII, hippocampus, hypothalamus, cerebellum, habenula, fasciculus retroflexus, and interpeduncular nucleus in adults. Additionally, ventral thalamic nucleus, clusters of positive cells in striatum, and Cajal‐Retzius cells of cortical layer I were labeled in young mice. The strong expression of STOP lacZ reporter gene observed in brain is confined to areas that may be involved in the schizophrenia‐related symptoms observed in STOP‐deficient mice. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.