title: Localization of cells containing transforming growth factor-alpha precursor immunoreactivity in the basal ganglia of the adult rat brain.
abstract: Transforming growth factor-alpha-like immunoreactivity (TGF-alpha-ir) was visualized in the adult rat forebrain using three antisera directed against carboxyterminal sequences in the TGF-alpha precursor. Using immunoperoxidase and immunofluorescence techniques with all three antisera, TGF-alpha-ir was found to be present in a subpopulation of astrocytes in the forebrain. Striatal and pallidal regions of the basal ganglia were studied in detail. In the striatum, there was an uneven distribution of astrocytes containing TGF-alpha-ir, with the greatest number in the dorsal medial third of the caudate-putamen and the overlying corpus callosum/external capsule. In addition, the region of the caudate-putamen bordering the globus pallidus contained numerous clusters of TGF-alpha-ir astrocytes. The globus pallidus itself contained numerous and more evenly distributed TGF-alpha-ir astrocytes. Other pallidal structures--including the ventral pallidum, entopeduncular nucleus, and substantia nigra pars reticulata--contained moderate numbers of TGF-alpha-ir astrocytes. These results suggest that TGF-alpha precursor is present and, perhaps, synthesized in astrocytes. A related growth factor, epidermal growth factor (EGF), has also been reported to be present in pallidal regions of rat brain. Therefore, the TGF-alpha/EGF family of trophic factors may play a role in the function of the central nervous system.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of California, Irvine 92727.
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Fallon
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Annis
authors.forename: L E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Gentry
authors.forename: D R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Twardzik
authors.forename: S E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Loughlin
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001253:Astrocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D001479:Basal Ganglia / Q000378:metabolism*; D003342:Corpus Striatum / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005917:Globus Pallidus / Q000378:metabolism; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D011498:Protein Precursors / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D014018:Tissue Distribution; D016211:Transforming Growth Factor alpha; D015291:Transforming Growth Factors / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D011498:Protein Precursors; D016211:Transforming Growth Factor alpha; C052268:protransforming growth factor alpha; D015291:Transforming Growth Factors