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Similar Time Course Changes in Striatal Levels of Glutamic Acid Decarboxylase and Proenkephalin mRNA Following Dopaminergic Deafferentation in the Rat
Author(s) -
Vernier Philippe,
Julien JeanFrancois,
Rataboul Pierre,
Fourrier Odile,
Feuerstein Claude,
Mallet Jacques
Publication year - 1988
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 - 10.1111/j.1471-4159.1988.tb01100.x
Subject(s) - substantia nigra , endocrinology , medicine , striatum , glutamate decarboxylase , biology , dopamine , nigrostriatal pathway , dopaminergic , proenkephalin , messenger rna , oxidopamine , biochemistry , enzyme , receptor , opioid , opioid peptide , gene
The time course changes in levels of mRNA encoding glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) and proenkephalin (PPE) was analyzed in the rat striatum following unilateral lesion of substantia nigra with 6‐hydroxydopamine. The levels of both GAD and PPE mRNAs increased after the dopaminergic deafferentation, reaching concomitantly a maximal twofold increase on day 25. Thereafter, the mRNA levels declined; at 4 months, the amount of PPE mRNA remained slightly elevated whereas GAD mRNA had returned to the control value, suggesting the action of a compensatory mechanism. We also observed a rise of glial fi‐brillary acidic protein mRNA level which reflects a reactive astrocytosis. In contrast, α‐tubulin mRNA level remained unchanged, indicating that no significant synaptogenesis occurs in this experimental situation. No obvious modification in mRNA levels was detected in the striatum contralateral to the lesion. These results highlight the role of the modulation of gene expression in adaptive processes to dopamine deficiency in striatal efferent pathways. Its relevance to the pathophysiology of Parkinson's disease is discussed.