title: Non-radioactive detection of nerve growth factor receptor (NGFR) mRNA in rat brain using in situ hybridization histochemistry.
abstract: Radioactively labeled RNA probes in conjunction with in situ hybridization histochemistry have become a useful method for studying gene expression in the central nervous system. We used digoxigenin-labeled uridine triphosphate to synthesize cRNA probes for localization of nerve growth factor receptor (NGFR) mRNA in the rat basal forebrain. Detection of cells containing digoxigenin-labeled NGFR mRNA was accomplished using a digoxigenin antibody conjugated with alkaline phosphatase. NGFR mRNA-positive cells were distributed in three major cell groups in the basal forebrain: the medial septal nucleus, vertical and horizontal limbs of the diagonal band of Broca, and nucleus basalis. This technique provides a rapid and sensitive method for high-resolution detection of mRNA species in the central nervous system, as well as the potential for co-localization of two different mRNA species within individual cells.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Hahnemann University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19102-1192.
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Springer
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Robbins
authors.forename: B J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Gwag
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Lewis
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Baldino
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001923:Brain Chemistry; D005260:Female; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors / Q000378:metabolism*; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization; D015347:RNA Probes; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000378:metabolism*; D017475:Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor
chemical_list: D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; D015347:RNA Probes; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D017475:Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor