title: Nuclear factor-kappa B in rat brain: enhanced DNA-binding activity following convulsant-induced seizures.
abstract: The DNA-binding protein nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappa B) is a pleiotropic transcription factor which regulates the transcription of specific target genes such as cytokines. The existence of NF-kappa B has not been reported in brain tissue. This is the first report demonstrating the expression of NF-kappa B in the rat brain. After pentylene tetrazole (s.c.)-induced clonic-tonic seizures at an LD50 dose of 85 mg/kg, we have shown a gradual increase in NF-kappa B expression reaching a maximum at 24 h, a decrease at 48 h and again increased at 96 and 120 h. A similar time-dependent pattern was observed for the NF-kappa B subunit p50 expression. The NF-kappa B subunit p65 was not expressed at all. These data suggest a possible underlying mechanism of signal transduction and transcriptional regulation of late-response genes after perturbations in the CNS milieu.
authors.affiliation: Division of Neurosurgery, University of Rochester Medical Center, NY 14642.
authors.forename: A V
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Prasad
authors.forename: W H
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Pilcher
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Joseph
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001345:Autoradiography; D001483:Base Sequence; D015153:Blotting, Western; D001923:Brain Chemistry / Q000502:physiology*; D003292:Convulsants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004247:DNA / Q000378:metabolism*; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D008297:Male; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D010433:Pentylenetetrazole / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012640:Seizures / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D003292:Convulsants; D016328:NF-kappa B; D004247:DNA; D010433:Pentylenetetrazole