bcl-2 protein expression is widespread in the developing nervous system and retained in the adult PNS.
Cell death is a common feature of neural development in all vertebrates. The bcl-2 proto-oncogene has been shown to protect a variety of cell types from programmed cell death. We have examined the distribution of bcl-2 protein in the developing and adult nervous systems. bcl-2 protein is widespread during embryonic development. Proliferating neuroepithelial cells of ventricular zones as well as the postmitotic cells of the cortical plate, cerebellum, hippocampus and spinal cord express bcl-2. Postnatally, bcl-2 is principally retained in the granule cells of the cerebellum and dentate gyrus of the hippocampus. bcl-2 expression in the CNS declines with aging. In the peripheral nervous system, neurons and supporting cells of sympathetic and sensory ganglia retain substantial bcl-2 protein throughout life. The widespread expression of bcl-2 in CNS and PNS neurons during embryonic development and its selective retention in the adult PNS is consistent with a role for bcl-2 in regulating neuronal survival. In addition, the expression of bcl-2 in some neuronal populations beyond the recognized period of cell death is suggestive of a role for bcl-2 beyond simply protecting neurons from developmental cell death.
Merry
D E
DE
Department of Medicine and Pathology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO 63110.
Veis
D J
DJ
Hickey
W F
WF
Korsmeyer
S J
SJ
D000311:Adrenal Glands / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000235:genetics; D002525:Cerebellar Cortex / Q000502:physiology; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005727:Ganglia, Spinal / Q000502:physiology; D015870:Gene Expression; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008253:Macaca mulatta / Q000502:physiology*; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000502:physiology; D009420:Nervous System / Q000196:embryology*; D009424:Nervous System Physiological Phenomena; D009830:Olfactory Bulb / Q000502:physiology; D017933:Peripheral Nervous System / Q000502:physiology; D000090063:Proto-Oncogene Mas; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000502:physiology
C000715470:MAS1 protein, human; D000090063:Proto-Oncogene Mas; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2