Gene expression of tyrosine hydroxylase in the developing fetal brain.
Tyrosine hydroxylase, aromatic L-amino-acid decarboxylase, and dopamine beta-hydroxylase activities were studied in the developing fetal rat brain. A delay of 2-3 days between the detection of the tyrosine hydroxylase and the aromatic L-amino-acid decarboxylase and dopamine beta-hydroxylase activities was observed. For this reason, the expression of tyrosine hydroxylase mRNA was studied. Tyrosine hydroxylase mRNA was visualized in the whole brain from 13 days of gestation, but the largest increase of the expression was observed in the hypothalamus. These results are discussed in terms of the relative gene expressions of the three enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of catecholamines and phenolamines in nervous tissues.
Coulon
J F
JF
Laboratoire de Biochimie du Développement, Université de Rennes I, France.
Biguet
N F
NF
Cavoy
A
A
Delacour
J
J
Mallet
J
J
David
J C
JC
D000199:Actins / Q000235:genetics; D000818:Animals; D001142:Aromatic-L-Amino-Acid Decarboxylases / Q000378:metabolism; D015152:Blotting, Northern; D001921:Brain / Q000196:embryology* / Q000201:enzymology; D004299:Dopamine beta-Hydroxylase / Q000378:metabolism; D005333:Fetus; D015971:Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic; D005865:Gestational Age; D009928:Organ Specificity; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D014446:Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism
D000199:Actins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D014446:Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase; D004299:Dopamine beta-Hydroxylase; D001142:Aromatic-L-Amino-Acid Decarboxylases