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Postnatal Development of Protein Kinase C‐like Immunoreactivity in the Cat Visual Cortex
Author(s) -
Stichel Christine C.,
Singer Wolf
Publication year - 1989
Publication title -
european journal of neuroscience
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.346
H-Index - 206
eISSN - 1460-9568
pISSN - 0953-816X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1460-9568.1989.tb00800.x
Subject(s) - protein kinase c , immunohistochemistry , visual cortex , cortex (anatomy) , neuroscience , biology , astrocyte , central nervous system , chemistry , microbiology and biotechnology , kinase , immunology
The postnatal development of protein kinase C isozymes II and III (PkCII/III) was investigted in the cat visual cortex by applying immunohistochemical methods with a monoclonal antibody against PkC(II/III). PkC(II/III)‐like immunoreactivity was found in astrocytes and neurons. All astrocytes but only a few of the immunoreactive neurons were homogeneously labelled. The majority of the latter exhibited a punctate distribution of reaction product. The staining pattern of neurons and glial cells showed developmental changes until at least 18 months of age. These were characterized by (1) a gradual increase of immunolabelled astrocytes, (2) an abrupt appearance of immunopositive neurons at 4 weeks of age, (3) an aggregation of immunolabelled neurons in a well‐delineated band in lower layer IV between 4 weeks and 12 months of age, and (4) a decrease in number of PkC(II/III)‐positive neurons after 12 months of age. These developmental changes in the expression of PkC(II/III)‐like immunoreactivity correlate well with the time course and the laminar selectivity of experience‐dependent malleability. Moreover, they correspond closely to changes in several systems that contribute to PkC‐activation and are thought to be involved in use‐dependent neuronal plasticity. Thus, we consider these results as compatible with the hypothesis that the PkC isozymes II and III participate in cellular mechanisms underlying use‐dependent plasticity.