Localization of DJ-1 protein in the murine brain

Mutations in the DJ-1 gene have been identified to cause Parkinson's disease. In humans, nonmutated DJ-1 is expressed in specific brain areas but seems to be expressed by astrocytes rather than by neurons. In contrast, DJ-1 mRNA is mainly found in neurons in the mouse brain. We have investigated the distribution of DJ-1 protein in the mouse brain and found that DJ-1 protein is predominantly expressed by neurons but can also be detected in astrocytes. Consistent with a global role of DJ-1 in the brain, we found immunoreactivity, for example, in cortical areas, hippocampus, basolateral amygdala, the reticular nucleus of the thalamus, zona incerta, and locus coeruleus. Within the substantia nigra, however, DJ-1 is localized in both neuronal and nonneuronal cells, suggesting a distinct role in this area.     

Localization of spectrin isoforms in the adult mouse heart

The distribution of two isoforms of spectrin in the adult mouse heart was investigated by Western blotting and immunocytochemistry by use of monospecific antibodies to erythrocyte spectrin and nonerythroid brain spectrin (240/235). Western blotting revealed proteins analogous to both isoforms of -spectrin in adult heart. Light-microscopic immunocytochemistry indicated that erythroid spectrin was distributed throughout the myocardium, with immunofluorescence localized to plasma membranes, Z-lines, and intercalated discs. Antibodies to brain spectrin (240/235) exhibited staining throughout the heart, with a generally diffuse distribution except for the prominent immunoreactivity associated with the intercalated discs. Nonerythroid spectrin immunofluorescence was detected in the endothelial cells of the endocardium and the mesothelial cell lining of the epicardium. Erythrocyte spectrin was not detected in the endocardium or the epicardium. The identification and localization of spectrin isoforms in the mammalian heart suggest the importance of spectrin proteins in the structural integrity and proper function of cardiac cells and tissues. This is the first demonstration of two different -spectrin subunits in the mammalian heart.     

Comparative study of cholinergic cells in retinas of various mouse strains

We examined cholinergic cells in the retinas of BALB/C albino, C57BL/6J black, and 129/SvJ light chinchilla mice by using immunocytochemistry with specific antisera against choline acetyltransferase (ChAT). Two types of ChAT-immunoreactive amacrine cell bodies were found in the inner nuclear layer (INL) and ganglion cell layer in the retinas of all three mouse strains. They were distributed with mirror-image symmetry and their processes ramified in strata 2 and 4 of the inner plexiform layer. A distinct type of ChAT-immunoreactive cell was found only in C57BL/6J mouse retina. The somata of this third type of ChAT-immunoreactive cell were located in the outermost part of the INL, with their processes extending toward the outer plexiform layer. Double-labeling experiments demonstrated that these were not horizontal cells and that they were GABA-immunoreactive. The results suggested that these cells were probably misplaced cholinergic amacrine cells showing GABA immunoreactivity. This feature of the C57BL/6J mouse retina should be taken into account in studies of mutant mice having a mixed genetic background with a C57BL/6J contribution.Tae-Hoon Kang, Young-Han Ryu and In-Beom Kim contributed equally to this study.This work was supported by Neurobiology Support Grant (M1-0108-00-0059) of the Ministry of Science and Technology, Korea     

Extracellular matrix distribution and islet morphology in the early postnatal pancreas: anomalies in the non-obese diabetic mouse

Previously, we reported elevated numbers of macrophages in the pancreas of NOD mice, a spontaneous animal model for T1D, during the early postnatal period. Extracellular matrix plays an important role in the tissue trafficking and retention of macrophages as well as in postnatal pancreas development. Therefore, we have examined the expression and distribution of laminin and fibronectin, two major extracellular matrix proteins and their corresponding integrin receptors, in the pre-weaning pancreases of NOD mice and control mouse strains. In addition, we have characterized the pancreas morphology during this period, since the morphology of the pre-weaning pancreas before the onset of lymphocytic peri-insulitis, when the pancreas is still subject to developmental changes, has been poorly documented. We show that laminin labeling is mainly associated with exocrine tissue, whereas fibronectin labeling was mostly localized at the islet-ductal pole, islet periphery and in intralobular septa. Moreover, the protein expression level of fibronectin was increased in NOD pancreases at the early stage of postnatal development, as compared to pancreases of C57BL/6 and BALB/c mouse strains. Interestingly, pancreatic macrophages were essentially found at sites of intense fibronectin labeling. The increased fibronectin content in NOD neonatal pancreas coincided with altered islet morphology, histologically reflected by enlarged and irregular shaped islets and increased percentages of total endocrine area as compared to that of control strains. In conclusion, increased levels of the extracellular matrix protein fibronectin were found in the early postnatal NOD pancreas, and this is associated with an enhanced accumulation of macrophages and altered islet morphology.This work was supported by the Centre Nationale de la Recherche Scientifique, Université Paris V and grants from the 5th PCRD MONODIAB.     

Localization of cholinergic innervation and neurturin receptors in adult mouse heart and expression of the neurturin gene

Neurturin (NRTN) is a neurotrophic factor required during development for normal cholinergic innervation of the heart, but whether NRTN continues to function in the adult heart is unknown. We have therefore evaluated NRTN expression in adult mouse heart and the association of NRTN receptors with intracardiac cholinergic neurons and nerve fibers. Mapping the regional distribution and density of cholinergic nerves in mouse heart was an integral part of this goal. Analysis of RNA from adult C57BL/6 mouse hearts demonstrated NRTN expression in atrial and ventricular tissue. Virtually all neurons in the cardiac parasympathetic ganglia exhibited the cholinergic phenotype, and over 90% of these cells contained both components of the NRTN receptor, Ret tyrosine kinase and GDNF family receptor α2 (GFRα2). Cholinergic nerve fibers, identified by labeling for the high affinity choline transporter, were abundant in the sinus and atrioventricular nodes, ventricular conducting system, interatrial septum, and much of the right atrium, but less abundant in the left atrium. The right ventricular myocardium contained a low density of cholinergic nerves, which were sparse in other regions of the working ventricular myocardium. Some cholinergic nerves were also associated with coronary vessels. GFRα2 was present in most cholinergic nerve fibers and in Schwann cells and their processes throughout the heart. Some cholinergic nerve fibers, such as those in the sinus node, also exhibited Ret immunoreactivity. These findings provide the first detailed mapping of cholinergic nerves in mouse heart and suggest that the neurotrophic influence of NRTN on cardiac cholinergic innervation continues in mature animals.This study was supported by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (grant HL-54633).     

Neutrophil depletion retards endometrial repair in a mouse model

The contribution of the high abundance of inflammatory cells present in the human endometrium prior to and during menstruation is unknown with respect to endometrial repair and/or menstruation. In this study, the presence and localisation of markers for key inflammatory cells have been examined in a mouse model of endometrial breakdown and repair and the functional contribution of neutrophils has been determined. In the model, decidualisation is artificially induced and progesterone support withdrawn; the endometrial tissue progressively breaks down by 24 h after progesterone withdrawal and, by 48 h, has usually undergone complete repair. Neutrophils have been identified in low abundance in decidual tissue, rise in number during breakdown and are most abundant during early repair. Macrophages are barely detectable during breakdown or repair in this model, whereas uterine natural killer cells are found only in intact decidua. The functional contribution of neutrophils to endometrial breakdown and repair has been assessed via neutrophil depletion by using the antibody RB6-8C5. This antibody significantly depletes neutrophils from the circulation and tissue, affects endometrial breakdown and markedly delays endometrial repair. This study has therefore demonstrated that neutrophils are the most abundant leucocyte in this model and that they play an important functional role in the processes of endometrial breakdown and repair. This work was funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia (#143798, #241000) and by an Australian Postgraduate Scholarship to T.K.     

Expression patterns of nm23 genes during mouse organogenesis

Nucleoside di-phosphate kinase enzyme (NDPK) isoforms, encoded by the nm23 family of genes, may be involved in various cellular differentiation and proliferation processes. We have therefore analyzed the expression of nm23-M1, -M2, -M3, and -M4 during embryonic mouse development. In situ hybridization data has revealed the differential expression of nm23 mRNA during organogenesis. Whereas nm23-M1 and -M3 are preferentially expressed in the nervous and sensory systems, nm23-M2 mRNA is found ubiquitously. Irrespective of the developmental state studied, nm23-M4 mRNA is only expressed at low levels in a few embryonic organs. In the cerebellum and cerebral cortex, nm23-M1, -M2, and -M3 are present in the neuronal differentiation layer, whereas nm23-M4 mRNA is distributed in the proliferating layer. Thus, nm23 mRNA is differentially expressed, and the diverse NDPK isoforms are sequentially involved in various developmental processes.     

Localization of actin and tubulin in developing and adult mammalian photoreceptors

Summary In order to define cytoskeletal domains of the mammalian photoreceptor, actin and tubulin were localized in adult retinae of mouse and human. For light-microscopic localization, actin was labeled using fluorescent phalloidin or monoclonal antibodies against actin, and tubulin was labeled using monoclonal antibodies against alpha- and beta-tubulin in an immunocytochemical method. Actin and tubulin were also localized by ultrastructural immunocytochemistry in the mouse. Filamentous actin was present in the retina at the outer limiting membrane and in synaptic terminals, especially of the cones, while globular actin was observed additionally in the inner segments. Müller cell cytoplasm and apical microvilli at the outer limiting membrane were also labeled for filamentous actin. Alpha- and beta-tubulin were evident throughout the photoreceptors, including the inner segments, but not in the synaptic terminals or at the outer limiting membrane. In the early postnatal retina of mouse, actin and tubulin were present at the ventricular surface. This pattern changed as photoreceptors fully elongated and as synaptogenesis occurred in the outer plexiform layer.     

Tissue- and species-specific expression patterns of class I,III, and IV Adh and Aldh1 mRNAs in rodent embryos

Alcohol and aldehyde dehydrogenases (ADHs and ALDHs) may be of interest in the pathology of Parkinson's disease (PD) because of their role in protection against toxins and in retinoid metabolism, which is required for growth and development of the mesencephalic dopamine system. In the present study, the spatial and temporal expression patterns of Adh1, Adh3, Adh4, and Aldh1 mRNAs in embryonic C57BL/6 mice (E9.5-E19.5) and Sprague-Dawley rats (E12.5-P0) have been investigated by using radioactive oligonucleotide in situ hybridization. High expression of Aldh1 mRNA was found in the developing mesencephalic dopamine neurons of both mice and rats. Expression of Adh1 and Adh4 mRNAs was observed in adrenal cortex and olfactory epithelium in mice. Additionally, Adh1 was expressed in epidermis, liver, conjunctival, and intestinal epithelium. In rat embryos, expression was less extensive, with Adh1 mRNA being found in liver and intestines. Adh3 expression was ubiquitous in both mouse and rat embryos, suggesting a housekeeping function of the gene. Consistent with previous studies in adult rats and mice, our data suggest that Adh3 is the only ADH class present in rodent brain. Adh and Aldh gene activity in mouse and rat embryos indicate the possible involvement of the respective enzymes in retinoid metabolism and participation in defense against toxic insults, including those that may be involved in the pathogenesis of PD. This work was supported by grants from the Swedish Research Council, the Swedish Parkinson Foundation, the Swedish Brain Foundation, Karolinska Institutet funds, AstraZeneca, and the US Public Health Service.     

Physiological response of bovine subcommissural organ to endothelin 1 and bradykinin

Elevated glutamate levels have been reported in humans with diabetic retinopathy. Retinal Müller glial cells regulate glutamate levels via the GLAST transporter and system x_c ⁻ (cystine-glutamate exchanger). We have investigated whether transporter function and gene and/or protein expression are altered in mouse Müller cells cultured under conditions of hyperglycemia or oxidative stress (two factors implicated in diabetic retinopathy). Cells were subjected to hyperglycemic conditions (35 mM glucose) over an 8-day period or to oxidative stress conditions (induced by exposure to various concentrations of xanthine:xanthine oxidase) for 6 h. The Na⁺-dependent and –independent uptake of [³H] glutamate was assessed as a measure of GLAST and system x_c ⁻ function, respectively. Hyperglycemia did not alter the uptake of [³H] glutamate by GLAST or system x_c ⁻; neither gene nor protein expression decreased. Oxidative stress (70:14 or 100:20 μM xanthine:mU/ml xanthine oxidase) decreased GLAST activity by ~10% but increased system x_c ⁻ activity by 43% and 89%, respectively. Kinetic analysis showed an oxidative-stress-induced change in V_max, but not K_m. Oxidative stress caused a 2.4-fold increase in mRNA encoding xCT, the unique component of system x_c ⁻. Of the two isoforms of xCT (40 and 50 kDa), oxidative stress induced a 3.6-fold increase in the 40-kDa form localized to the plasma membrane. This is the first report of the differential expression and localization of xCT isoforms as caused by cellular stress. Increased system x_c ⁻ activity in Müller cells subjected to conditions associated with diabetic retinopathy may be beneficial, as this exchanger is important for the synthesis of the antioxidant glutathione. This work was supported by NIH R01 EY014560.     

Uptake and utilization of human polymorphonuclear leukocyte granule myeloperoxidase by mouse peritoneal macrophages

Summary Functional myeloperoxidase contained in granules of polymorphonuclear neutrophil leukocytes or in fixed whole cells can be endocytosed by mouse peritoneal macrophages. Acquired myeloperoxidase was distributed in what we considered to be the secondary lysosomal system and, following a phagocytic stimulation, was delivered to newly formed phagosomes containing the targets.     

Odorant receptor proteins in olfactory axons and in cells of the cribriform mesenchyme may contribute to fasciculation and sorting of nerve fibers

Odorant receptors (ORs) have been shown to be present not only in the chemosensory cilia of the olfactory sensory neurons, but also in their axon terminals. This observation has emphasized the notion that the receptor protein may contribute to the precise receptor-specific targeting of olfactory axons in the olfactory bulb. This concept implies a particularly important role for the axonal receptor protein during the onset and early phase of the wiring process during development. In the present study, we have demonstrated, by means of specific antibodies, that, as early as mouse embryonic day E12, the OR protein can be visualized in outgrowing axonal processes of the olfactory epithelium and in cells located in the cribriform mesenchyme. On their trajectory from the olfactory epithelium through the cribriform mesenchyme toward the forebrain, axons with strong OR immunoreactivity have only been seen in the dorsal part of the mesenchyme where they traverse the region of OR-positive cells. Upon visualization by specific antibodies, these cells have been revealed to have long protrusions extending along the surface of nerve fascicles. They are often located at bifurcations where two small axon fascicles merge to form a stronger bundle. Within this region, fascicles coalesce forming a coherent nerve. Moreover, within the now compact nerve bundle, axons visualized by the OR-specific antibody are no longer distributed evenly but are segregated from other axonal populations within the nerve. These findings suggest that OR proteins in the membrane of axonal processes and of cells in the cribriform mesenchyme are involved in crucial processes such as fasciculation and the sorting of outgrowing axons, both of which are fundamental for the initiation and establishment of the precise wiring of the olfactory system during early development. This work was supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (SFB 495).     

Organotypic culture, a powerful model for studying rat and mouse fetal testis development

The key role of the fetal testis in the masculinization of genital organs has been known for a long time. More recently, the observed increases in male reproductive disorders has been postulated to be the result of changes in fetal and neonatal testis development in response to increasing environmental pollution. However, few tools are available for studying fetal testis development and the effects of physiological or toxic substances. We have developed an organ culture system in which rat fetal testis is grown on a filter floating on a synthetic medium containing no serum, hormones or biological factors. In this study, we have compared the long-term morpho-functional development of the various testicular cell types in this system with that observed in vivo and have extended this system to the mouse. Rat Leydig, Sertoli and germ cells and macrophages develop normally over a period of 1–2 weeks in this system. Fewer cells are produced than in vivo but the level of differentiated function is similar. Germ cells, which are difficult to culture in vitro, resume mitosis after a quiescent period, at the same time as in vivo. Similar results have been obtained with mouse fetuses, except that Leydig cells dedifferentiate in vitro if the testis is explanted after 13.5 days post conception. Testicular architecture and intercellular communication are sufficiently preserved for the development of the main fetal and neonatal testicular cell types in vitro with no added factors. Our floating-filter organotypic culture system in synthetic medium therefore allows the morpho-functional development of somatic and germ cells in fetal testis explants taken at all developmental stages in rat and at early stages in mouse. This method is potentially useful for studies of the effects of various factors, and of xenobiotics, in particular.This work was supported by the Université Paris 7, Commissariat à l’Energie Atomique (CEA) and the Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) and by grant Agence Francaise de Sécurité Sanitaire et Environnementale (AFSSE). G. Delbes is the recipient of a fellowship from the Ministère de la Recherche et de la Technologie and from the Association pour la Recherche contre le Cancer.This work is dedicated to the memory of José Maria Saez in recognition of his helpful and constant encouragement and discussions over the last decade.     

Differential expression of a subunit isoforms of the vacuolar-type proton pump ATPase in mouse endocrine tissues

Vacuolar-type proton ATPase (V-ATPase) is a multi-subunit enzyme that couples ATP hydrolysis to the translocation of protons across membranes. Mammalian cells express four isoforms of the a subunit of V-ATPase. Previously, we have shown that V-ATPase with the a3 isoform is highly expressed in pancreatic islets and is located in the membranes of insulin-containing granules in the β cells. The a3 isoform functions in the regulation of hormone secretion. In this study, we have examined the distribution of a subunit isoforms in endocrine tissues, including the adrenal, parathyroid, thyroid, and pituitary glands, with isoform-specific antibodies. We have found that the a3 isoform is strongly expressed in all these endocrine tissues. Our results suggest that functions of the a3 isoform are commonly involved in the process of exocytosis in regulated secretion. This research was supported in part by Grants-in-Aid from the Ministry of Education, Science, and Culture of Japan and by the Hayashi, Takeda, and Noda Foundations.     

Caspase-9-dependent pathway to murine germ cell apoptosis: mediation by oxidative stress,BAX, and caspase 2

Ischemia-reperfusion (IR) of the testis results in germ-cell-specific apoptosis (GCA) and a reduction in daily sperm production. This has been correlated with and is dependent upon neutrophil recruitment to the testis. In a rat model of testicular IR, this has also been correlated with an increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS). We have investigated ROS in the mouse testis after IR and determined whether the observed GCA is mediated via a mitochondrial caspase-9-dependent pathway involving the upstream mediators caspase 2 and BAX. Mice were subjected to a 2-h period of testicular ischemia followed by reperfusion. An accumulation of 8-isoprostane, a marker of oxidative stress, occurred 4 h after reperfusion. Activation of a mitochondrial dependent pathway to GCA after testicular IR was determined based on the observations that both BAX and caspase 2 translocated to the mitochondria, and that an increase occurred in cytoplasmic cytochrome c. Moreover, microinfusion of a specific caspase 9 inhibitor significantly reduced active caspase 3 after testicular IR and the number of apoptotic germ cells. These results suggest that oxidative stress products accumulate in the testis following IR and demonstrate that the observed GCA is stimulated through a mitochondrial caspase-9-dependent pathway. The identification of the germ-cell apoptotic pathway induced after testicular IR, including the key players in the pathway subsequent to ROS (BAX, caspase 9, and caspase 2), aids our understanding of IR injury in the testis and provides a wider background for the development of therapeutic interventions to rescue testis function. The work was supported by grants P50 DK45179 and DK53072.     

Localization of chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan versican in adult brain with special reference to large projection neurons

Versican is a chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan belonging to the lectican family. Versican has two glycosaminoglycan attachment regions, named the GAGα and GAGβ domains, which are both regulated by alternative splicing and yield four protein isoforms. We have investigated the expression and localization of versican in the developing and adult brain by using anti-versican GAGα and GAGβ antibodies. Western analysis revealed that GAGα-reactive isoform was dominant in the adult brain. Immunohistochemical study demonstrated that GAGα immunoreactivity was detectable from neonatal periods to adulthood, whereas GAGβ immunoreactivity completely disappeared within 3 weeks of birth. In the adult brain, GAGα immunoreactivity was seen in the white matter regions and was also localized in the gray matter including somata and dendrites of cortical and hippocampal pyramidal neurons and cerebellar Purkinje cells. In contrast, GAGα immunoreactivity was not localized on parvalbumin-positive interneurons and cerebellar stellate cells. Furthermore, GAGα immunoreactivity was not co-localized with perineuronal net markers such as Wisteria floribunda agglutinin lectin and phosphacan. Thus, versican was localized on large projection neurons rather than small interneurons. To confirm the binding mechanism of versican to neurons, hyaluronan and chondroitin sulfates were enzymatically removed from brain sections before the immunolabeling of versican. These treatments had no effect on the labeling pattern of versican, suggesting that other versican-interactive molecules are involved in the binding of versican to neurons. This study was supported by a Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research on Priority Areas “Advanced Brain Science Project” from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology, Japan.     

Low extracellular calcium is sufficient for survival and proliferation of murine mesencephalic neural precursor cells

Various media and Ca²⁺ concentrations are employed to culture neural progenitor cells (NPCs). We have therefore explored the effects of extracellular calcium concentrations on the survival, proliferation, spontaneous apoptosis and self-renewal capacity of mesencephalic NPCs grown adherently and as free-floating neurospheres. We employed EMEM supplemented with various concentrations of extracellular CaCl₂ (0.1–1 mM). Raising the calcium concentration from 0.1 mM to 0.6 mM resulted in an increased number of NPCs growing as a monolayer and increased the protein yield of cells growing in neurospheres (24±3 μg total proteins in 0.1 mM Ca²⁺ medium vs. 316±34 μg proteins in 1 mM Ca²⁺ medium). Concentrations more than 0.6 mM did not result in a further improvement of proliferation or survival. Elimination of calcium from our control medium by 1 mM EGTA resulted in a decrease in cell number from 82±2×10⁴ NPCs/ml observed in control medium to 62±2×10⁴ NPCs/ml observed in calcium-free media. Protein yield dropped significantly in calcium-free media, accompanied by the decreased expression of the proliferation marker PCNA and the pro-survival marker Bcl-2. Two weeks of expansion as neurospheres caused spontaneous cell death in more than 90% of NPCs grown in 0.1 mM CaCl₂ EMEM compared with 42% in 1 mM CaCl₂ EMEM. Although the action of Ca²⁺ on NPCs appears to be complex, the presented data strongly suggest that extracellular calcium plays a crucial role in the maintenance of NPCs in a healthy and proliferating state; physiological concentrations (>1.0 mM) are not required, a concentration of 0.5 mM being adequate for cell maintenance.     

Allograft inflammatory factor-1/Ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 is specifically expressed by most subpopulations of macrophages and spermatids in testis

Ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 (Iba1) is a 147-amino-acid calcium-binding protein widely in use as a marker for microglia. It has actin-crosslinking activity and is involved in aspects of motility-associated rearrangement of the actin cytoskeleton. The Iba1 gene and protein are identical to allograft inflammatory factor-1 (AIF-1), a protein involved in various aspects of inflammation, which was investigated independently from Iba1. Although regarded to be monocyte/macrophage-specific, expression by germ cells in testis showed that AIF-1/Iba1 is not exclusively expressed by cells of the monocyte/macrophage lineage. Furthermore, AIF-1 was found in cells not belonging to the monocyte/macrophage lineage under pathological conditions. Here, the distribution of AIF-1/Iba1 in the normal mouse has been examined, by immunohistochemistry, to determine whether AIF-1/Iba1 expression is confined to macrophages and spermatids. Spermatids are the only cells not belonging to the monocyte/macrophage lineage found to express AIF-1/Iba1 in the normal mouse, by this method. This study has not demonstrated AIF-1/Iba1 expression in dendritic cells, although this protein might be expressed by subsets of dendritic cells. AIF-1/Iba1 can be regarded a “pan-macrophage marker” because, except for alveolar macrophages, all subpopulations of macrophages examined express AIF-1/Iba1.     

In-vitro proliferation of germ cells and supporting cells in the neonatal mouse testis

Summary Testicular cells were prepared from neonatal (48 h after birth) mice by enzymatic dissociation and were cultured in serum-supplemented medium to investigate cell proliferation in vitro. The cultured cells were composed mostly of germ cells, identified by immunocytochemistry using a germ cell-specific antiserum, and supporting (immature Sertoli) cells. After 36 h in culture, the cells were pulse-labeled with ³H-thymidine and fixed at 2-h intervals for 36 h after labeling. Numbers of labeled and unlabeled metaphases of germ cells and supporting cells were counted, and percent labeled metaphases for both cell types were determined for cell-cycle analysis. The results indicate that germ cells, as well as supporting cells, incorporate ³H-thymidine and progress through the cell cycle in vitro. From the curve of the percent labeled metaphases for the supporting cells, the total cell cycle and intervals of DNA synthesis were estimated to be 27.2 h and 13.2 h, respectively.     

Incongruent pattern of neurokinin B expression in rat and mouse brains

The expression patterns of Tac2 and NK3 mRNA and of pep2, the neurokinin B (NKB) precursor protein, were compared in rats and mice. Pep2 immunoreactivity was observed in fibers, terminals, and perikarya in the brains of both species, but the number of NKB-immunoreactive cells was generally smaller in mice than in the corresponding nuclei in rats. Congruent distribution patterns of Tac2 mRNA and NKB were found in many nuclei of the thalamus and hypothalamus (habenula, anterodorsal nucleus, preoptic area, arcuate nucleus, paraventricular nucleus). However, mice expressed Tac2 mRNA neither in the hippocampus nor in the nucleus of the lateral olfactory tract, in contrast to rats. Accordingly, mice showed no NKB in the projection areas of these nuclei, such as the olfactory tubercle, whereas a clear NKB signal was present in rat tissues. Surprisingly, we found nearly identical NK3 mRNA expression patterns in both species, despite the species differences in NKB expression. Thus, although the expression patterns of Tac2 and NKB are similar in rats and mice, noteworthy differences exist. Our results have important implications for the interpretation of behavioral results concerning the NKB/NK3 system in these species. This study was supported by a grant from the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (FOR425/TPII)