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Expression of Bcl‐2 in Adult Human Brain Regions with Special Reference to Neurodegenerative Disorders
Author(s) -
Vyas Sheela,
JavoyAgid France,
Herrero MaríaTrinidad,
Strada Ornella,
Boissiere Florence,
Hibner Urzula,
Agid Yves
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
journal of neurochemistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.75
H-Index - 229
eISSN - 1471-4159
pISSN - 0022-3042
DOI - 10.1046/j.1471-4159.1997.69010223.x
Subject(s) - nucleus basalis , in situ hybridization , substantia nigra , striatum , biology , messenger rna , cerebellum , northern blot , cerebral cortex , western blot , immunohistochemistry , nucleus , cholinergic , cholinergic neuron , microbiology and biotechnology , neuroscience , gene , dopamine , biochemistry , immunology , dopaminergic
The expression of the protooncogene bcl‐2 , an inhibitor of apoptosis in various cells, was examined in the adult human brain. Several experimental criteria were used to verify its presence; mRNA was analyzed by northern blot with parallel experiments in mouse tissues, by RNase protection, and by in situ hybridization histochemistry. Bcl‐2 protein was detected by western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry. Two bcl‐2 mRNA species were identified in the human brain. The pattern of distribution of bcl‐2 mRNA at the cellular level showed labeling in neurons but not glia. The in situ hybridization signal was stronger in the pyramidal neurons of the cerebral cortex and in the cholinergic neurons of the nucleus basalis of Meynert than in the Purkinje neurons of the cerebellum. Both melanized and nonmelanized neurons were labeled in the substantia nigra. In the striatum, bcl‐2 mRNA was detected in some but not all neurons. In the regions examined for Bcl‐2 protein, the expression pattern correlated with the mRNA results. In patients with Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, quantification of bcl‐2 mRNA in the nucleus basalis of Meynert and substantia nigra, respectively, showed that the expression was unaltered compared with controls, raising the possibility that the expression of other components of apoptosis is modulated.