Accumulation and turnover of the classical Folch-Lees proteolipid proteins in developing and adult rat brain.

The turnover of classical Folch-Lees proteolipid proteins was studied after administration of [2,3-3H]tryptophan to both developing and adult rat brain. The animals were killed from 2h to 250 days after subcutaneous injections of [3H]tryptophan. The measured specific radioactivity in developing brain attained maximum value 24h after the administration of label, whereas the total radioactivity per brain reached a maximum 21 days after injection. The half-life of proteolipid protein from the measured specific radioactivity was 7-20 days, depending on the time-points used for the calculation, whereas calculation from total radioactivity between 28-77 and 91-257 days gave half-lives of 35-40 and 188 days respectively. In contrast, in animals injected at 40 days of age, the half-life from the whole-brain-radioactivity data was 188 days. The problem of the recycling of radioactivity for the synthesis of myelin proteins from either a general or a discrete amino acid pool is discussed.     

Apomorphine: sterotyped behavior and regional distribution in rat brain.

The distribution of apomorphine following subcutaneous injection of 20 mg/kg (as the hydrochloride) was measured spectrofluorometrically in specific regions of rat brain. Measurable concentrations were found in the brain within a few minutes of injection, the drug was still detectable for at least 60 min in all regions, and maximum concentration was observed 20 min after injection. Stereotyped behavior, characteristic of apomorphine action, followed a time course parallel to accumulation of the drug in the brain.     

gamma-Endorphin generating endopeptidase in rat brain: subcellular and regional distribution

beta-Endorphin is converted into the biologically active fragment gamma-endorphin by an endopeptidase which we term "gamma-endorphin generating endopeptidase". Subcellular and regional distributions of this endopeptidase activity in rat brain were studied by a newly developed assay. After subcellular fractionation of rat brain tissue gamma-endorphin generating endopeptidase activity was predominantly recovered in the cytosolic fraction. A 10 to 15 fold lower activity was present in synaptosomes, mitochondria and synaptic membranes. Hardly any endopeptidase activity was detected in nuclei and myelin. The endopeptidase activity in cytosolic and particulate fraction was found throughout brain, pituitary and spinal cord in a rather homogeneous fashion. Cytosolic activity in all brain parts was 10 to 15 fold higher than the activity in the particulate fraction. It is suggested that rather the beta-endorphin distribution than the endopeptidase is restricting for gamma-endorphin production in certain brain parts.     

Isolation and identification of proteolipid proteins injimpy mouse brain

Proteolipids were isolated from 20 day old normal andjimpy mouse brain by extraction into chloroform-methanol (21, w/v), delipidated by size-exclusion HPLC, and analyzed by SDS-PAGE, Western blots, amino acid analyses, and N-terminal sequencing. SDS-PAGE showed that a major proteolipid fromjimpy mouse brain had an apparent molecular weight of 23 kDa, intermediate to that of PLP and DM-20 from normal mouse brain. Western blots with 3 different antibodies which recognize residues 200–224, 116–150, and 270–276 respectively recognized immunoreactive material in normal andjimpy PLP. Since antibody reactive with 270–276 did not recognizejimpy PLP, an altered C-terminus of thejimpy protein is suggested. These results demonstrated that a PLP can be partially purified fromjimpy mouse brain. Amino acid analyses failed to show the predicted increase in cysteinyl residues (predicted from cDNA) injimpy PLP. However, whenjimpy brain proteolipids were subjected to N-terminal sequencing, Gly, Leu, Leu, Gly the first four amino acids of PLP were detected. Thus, the partial purification of a proteolipid fromjimpy mouse brain, whose characteristics (apparent molecular weight, immunoreactivity, N-terminal sequence and relative net charge) strongly suggested that PLP of altered size is present injimpy mouse brain.Abbreviations BCIP 5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl phosphate toluidine salt - MBP myelin basic protein - NBT -nitro blue tetrazolium chloride - PITC phenylisothiocyanate - PLP myelin proteolipid protein - PVDF polyvinylidene difluoride - SDS-PAGE sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis Special issue dedicated to Dr. Marjorie B. Lees.     

Developmental and regional distribution of aspartoacylase in rat brain tissue

The function of N-acetyl-aspartate (NAA), a predominant molecule in the brain, has not yet been determined. However, NAA is commonly used as a putative marker of viable neurones. To investigate the possible function of NAA, we determined the anatomical, developmental and cellular distribution of aspartoacylase, which catalyses the hydrolysis of NAA. Levels of aspartoacylase activity were measured during postnatal development in several brain regions. The differential distribution of aspartoacylase activity in purified populations of cells derived from the rat CNS was also investigated. The developmental and anatomical distribution of aspartoacylase correlated with the maturation of white matter tracts in the rat brain. Activity increased markedly after 7 days and coincided with the time course for the onset of myelination in the rat brain. Gray matter showed little activity or developmental trend. There was a 60-fold excess in optic nerve (a white matter tract) when compared with cortex at 21 days of development. In the adult brain there was a 18-fold difference in corpus callosum compared with cortex (stripped of corpus callosum). Cellular studies demonstrated that purified cortical neurons and cerebellar granular neurones have no activity. Primary O-2A progenitor cells had moderate activity, with three-fold higher activity in immature oligodendrocyte and 13-fold increase in mature oligodendrocytes (myelinating cells of the CNS). The highest activity was seen in type-2 astrocytes (20-fold difference compared with O-2A progenitors) derived from the same source. Aspartoacylase activity increased with time in freshly isolated astrocytes, with significantly higher activity after 15 days in culture. We conclude that aspartoacylase activity in the developing postnatal brain corresponds with maturation of myelination, and that the cellular distribution is limited to glial cells.     

The regional distribution of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) in the developing rat CNS: an in vivo immunohistochemical study

Using an immunohistochemical approach we have characterized the in vivo developmental distribution of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein within the rat CNS. Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein expression emerged in a non-uniform manner during the first 3 postnatal weeks. Although it was absent throughout the CNS of the newborn rat at postnatal day 0(P0), it had appeared in the spinal cord and brainstem by P7. The forebrain and cerebellum remained devoid of immunoreactivity until after P14. Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein emerged at different times within the closely associated fasciculi of the dorsal funiculus. It appeared in the fasciculus cuneatus during the first postnatal week and in the fasciculus gracilis and corticospinal tracts during weeks 2 and 3 respectively. Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein expression developed along a caudo-rostral gradient from spinal cord to forebrain and along an antero-posterior gradient within the CNS in general. The relationship between the onset of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein expression and myelinogenesis was also investigated. In most regions, myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein expression lagged behind the initial appearance of myelin basic protein and Luxol Fast Blue-stained myelin by at least 1 week. These observations support the idea that myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein is the latest myelin protein to appear in development, only being expressed during the final stages of oligodendrocyte differentiation. Furthermore, the pattern of staggered expression within the dorsal columns indicates that localized, region-specific interactions may comprise a key element in the control of the terminal phases of oligodendrocyte differentiation.     

Subcellular distribution of taurine and cysteinesulphinate decarboxylase in developing rat brain

The concentration of taurine and the activities of cysteinesulphinate decarboxylase and glutamate decarboxylase have been measured in rat brain. During development, taurine exhibited a decrease in concentration unrelated to the activity of cysteinesulphinate decarboxylase which increased during the same period. The distribution of taurine in subcellular fractions of adult and 7-day-old rat brain was typical of most amino acids, whereas half of the cysteinesulphinate decarboxylase activity was found in the nerve-ending cytoplasm. In anatomical distribution, taurine displayed great regional heterogeneity but both cysteinesulphinate decarboxylase and glutamate decarboxylase were more evenly distributed. Hypertaurinaemia was shown to have no effect on the entry of glycine into the brain or on its utilization in protein synthesis.     

The use of tetrahydrofuran for delipidation and water solubilization of brain proteolipid proteins.

Tetrahydrofuran, an efficient total lipid solvent, was found to precipitate chloroform-methanol soluble proteins from CM (chloroform-methanol, 2:1) lipid extracts of bovine and rat white and grey matter. To total lipid extracts containing proteolipid proteins 4 volumes of tetrahydrofuran are added; the precipitate is centrifuged and washed once with the same solvent. The product contains all the protein and about 1 to 2% of the lipids of the original lipid extract. It is insoluble in CM; solubility in CM is restored by addition of acetic acid or of the lipids recovered from the tetrahydrofuran-soluble fraction It is also soluble in glacial acetic acid and this solution can be diluted either with CM or with distilled water.     

Role of aminopeptidases in enkephalin catabolism: comparative study of the regional distribution of aminopeptidases and enkephalinase A in the rat brain

In order to elucidate the role of aminopeptidases in enkephalin catabolism in rat brain, the local distribution of two types of cerebral cellular membrane aminopeptidases (puromycin-sensitive and puromycin-insensitive ones) and of the enkephalin system marker, enkephalinase A, was studied. It was found that the distribution patterns of the former enzymes differ essentially from that of enkephalinase A. Study of coupling between the enzymatic activities in different regions of rat brain revealed a strong correlation between the activities of puromycin-insensitive aminopeptidase and enkephalinase A in midbrain (including hypothalamus). It was supposed that in midbrain the role of aminopeptidase M in intrasynaptic inactivation of enkephalins is much more conspicuous than in other regions of rat brain. The puromycin-sensitive aminopeptidase activity does not seem to play a role in enkephalin catabolism.     

Ontogeny, regional distribution and properties of thyroid-hormone receptors in the developing chick brain

Studies on the thyroid-hormone receptors in the nuclei of developing chick brain revealed a single class of binding sites for tri-iodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) at all embryonic and adult ages. High-affinity [Ka = (1.85-3.3) X 10(9)M-1 and (0.3-0.6 X 10(9)M-1 for T3 and T4 respectively] receptors were detected in the brain as early as day 7 of embryonic development; their level increased progressively rapidly until day 13, and thereafter the value remained essentially constant during development. Occupancy of the receptor site with endogenous hormone was 75-90% at 7-11 days, 50-60% during the late phase of embryogenesis (13-17 days), and 80% after hatching. Comparison of the binding properties of the receptors with T3 and T4 indicates that, although the binding capacities per nucleus are almost identical, T4 has four to five times less binding affinity than T3. The half-lives of dissociation of solubilized T3- receptor complexes were 20-30h between 0 degrees and 7 degrees C, about 4h at 20 degrees C and less than 15 min at 37 degrees C. Studies of the regional distribution of receptors in the brain indicate that cerebrum has the highest concentration of T3 receptors (4000-7000 sites per nucleus); this concentration is 2-4-fold higher than that in the cerebellum, optic lobe or medulla oblongata. The overall results indicate that between 7 and 13 days of embryonic development the thyroid-hormone receptors in the embryonic chick brain, particularly in the cerebrum, assume a very high level and appear to be mostly saturated with endogenous hormone. This, and the temporal correspondence of the phenomenon with the period of neuronal growth and synaptogenesis, strongly indicate the influence of the hormone in the maturation of the developing brain.     

Synthesis of the myelin proteolipid protein in the developing mouse brain

Mice ranging in age from 16 to 44 days were injected intracerebrally with ³H-leucine, and incorporation into total brain proteolipids and the myelin proteolipid protein was measured. All proteolipids were isolated from whole brain by ether precipitation and separated into their individual components by SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Two major proteolipids with apparent molecular weights of 20,700 and 25,400 were observed in these preparations, and their proportion increased over the developmental period examined. A Ferguson plot analysis comparing these proteins with those of isolated myelin showed that the 25,400-dalton proteolipid component from whole brain was the myelin proteolipid protein. Rates of incorporation of ³H-leucine into total brain proteolipids peaked at 22 days of age. Synthesis of the myelin proteolipid protein increased rapidly to a maximum value at 22 days and decreased rather slowly until at 44 days it was about 83% of its maximum rate of synthesis. The data indicate that the developmental pattern of synthesis of the myelin proteolipid protein is unlike that of the myelin basic proteins. Synthesis of the major myelin proteins is developmentally asynchronous in that peak synthesis of the myelin proteolipid appears to occur several days later than the basic proteins. In addition, it maintains its maximum rate of synthesis over a longer period of time than do the basic proteins.     

Turnover of myelin and other structural proteins in the developing rat brain

1. Protein metabolism of myelin and other subcellular components from developing rat brain was studied for periods from 5h to 210 days after intraperitoneal injection of [(3)H]lysine and [(14)C]glucose. 2. Half-lives for total brain proteins (t(0.5)) were 27 days after [(3)H]lysine and 4 days after [(14)C]glucose injection. 3. Factors accounting for the difference in the turnover rates obtained with different precursors, and the problem of reutilization of the label were investigated. 4. The catabolism of purified myelin proteins was studied and the half-lives of individual myelin proteins were calculated. 5. Myelin basic proteins turned over at two different rates. Half-life of the fast component of myelin basic proteins was 19-22 days and the slow component exhibited a high degree of metabolic stability. 6. Proteolipid protein underwent slow turnover. High-molecular-weight Wolfgram (1966) proteins underwent (relatively) fast metabolism (t(0.5) of 17-22 days).     

Characterization and regional distribution of calcitonin binding sites in the rat brain

Binding sites for calcitonin (CT), as assayed by the displacable binding of [125-I] iodo salmon CT ([125-I]sCT), were found on a membrane fraction prepared from rat brain. The half times of association varied between 23 and 7 min as a function of the temperatures used in the incubation medium, ranging from 6° to 37°C. Salmon CT in amounts as low as 10^?10 M inhibited the binding of [125-I]sCT to the membranes, whereas the virtually biologically inactive free acid of human CT and human CT sulfone did not affect the binding. The specific binding of [125-I]sCT to the membranes was directed to structural and/or conformational features in the COOH-terminal half of salmon CT. 133 to 8,900 times higher amounts of porcine CT and human CT and analogues thereof were required to achieve an inhibition of binding equal to that produced by salmon CT. Sixty-seven percent of specific binding of labeled hormone was not dissociable, even after 6 h of incubation with an excess of unlabeled hormone. [125-I]sCT extracted from the membranes was not degraded, as judged by gel permeation chromatography, and retained binding activity. Specific binding was highest in the hypothalamus, followed by the brainstem. It was intermediate in the midbrain-thalamus and the striatum, lower in the cortex and negligible in the hippocampus, and cerebellum and the spinal cord.     

Neuroanatomical distribution of aromatase mRNA in the rat brain: indications of regional regulation

Aromatase, the enzyme responsible for the conversion of testosterone to estradiol, is found in the rat brain and is present in regions of the preoptic area, hypothalamus, and limbic system. Gonadal steroid hormones regulate aromatase activity levels in many brain regions, but not all. Using in situ hybridization, we examined the distribution of aromatase mRNA in the adult male forebrain, as well as the levels of aromatase mRNA in the brains of males and females, and the regulation by gonadal steroid hormones. In the adult male, many heavily labelled cells were found in the encapsulated bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST), the medial preoptic nucleus (MPN), the ventro-medial nucleus (VMN), the medial amygdala (mAMY) and the cortical amygdala (CoAMY). The regional distribution of aromatase mRNA was similar in males and females, but males tended to have a greater number of aromatase mRNA-expressing cells in each region compared to females. Aromatase mRNA levels in the BNST, MPN, VMN and mAMY tended to be lower in castrated males than in intact males, whereas aromatase mRNA levels were unaltered by castration in the CoAMY. Further analysis of individual cells expressing aromatase mRNA suggests that aromatase mRNA may be regulated by steroid hormones differentially in specific populations of cells in regions where enzyme activity levels are steroid-hormone-dependent.     

A histochemical study of the regional distribution in the rat brain of enzymatic activity hydrolyzing glucose- and 2-deoxyglucose-6-phosphate

Summary A modified Wachstein-Meisel lead salt method using glucose-6-phosphate or 2-deoxyglucose-6-phosphate as substrates was employed at the light microscopic level to map the rat brain for glucose-6-phosphatase (G-6-Pase). As has been described, most of the activity of the enzyme resided in neuronal cell bodies and dendritic stems. No differences were found between the results obtained with the two substrates. Two categories of brain structures with heavy and with moderate staining could be distinguished while the majority of brain regions contained only barely discernible neurons. Structures displaying very high enzyme activity included nuclei of cranial nerves, nuclei of the reticular formation, Purkinje cells, and some parts of the limbic system, e.g., CA 3 and CA 4 pyramidal fields of the hippocampus. It is pointed out that accurate biochemical determinations of G-6-Pase activity will critically depend on pains-taking microdissection of nuclei and cell layers. The histochemical results may be pertinent to the interpretation of the 2-deoxyglucose method for assessment of regional glucose utilization rates in brain. The present observations make it unlikely that regional variations in G-6-Pase activity account for differences in uptake and retention of radioactivity from (1-¹⁴C)glucose and (¹⁴C)2-deoxyglucose reported previously by our group.Dedicated to Professor Dr. T.H. Schiebler on the occasion of his 65th birthday