Tyrosine hydroxylase gene expression in human ventral mesencephalon: detection of tyrosine hydroxylase messenger RNA in neurites.
The distribution of both tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) antigen and messenger RNA was investigated in the ventral mesencephalon from human brain using a 35S-labeled human TH cDNA probe and a polyclonal TH antibody. A hybridization signal was detected not only in the perikaryon but also in the neurites, most probably dendrites, of immunoreactive neurons. In cell bodies, the level of TH mRNA varies, revealing a regional heterogeneity. In the substantia nigra of patients with Parkinson's disease the number of labeled cells was markedly reduced as compared to controls.
Dumas
S
S
Laboratoire de Neurobiologie Cellulaire, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Gif-sur-Yvette, France.
Javoy-Agid
F
F
Hirsch
E
E
Agid
Y
Y
Mallet
J
J
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004247:DNA; D003712:Dendrites / Q000201:enzymology*; D015971:Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008636:Mesencephalon / Q000201:enzymology*; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism*; D014446:Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D004247:DNA; D014446:Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase