title: Expression of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) receptor alpha-subunit in mouse brain: comparison of Patch mutants and normal littermates.
abstract: 1. Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) plays an important role not only in mesenchyme-derived tissues, but also in the mammalian central nervous system. The Patch mutant (Ph/+) lacks one copy of the PDGFR-alpha gene. However, it is not clear whether there are differences in expression of PDGF receptor alpha-subunit (PDGFR-alpha) in brain tissue of the Patch heterozygous (Ph/+) mutants compared to wild-type C57Bl (+/+) mice. 2. The level of PDGRF-alpha mRNA expression is slightly lower in Patch mutant than in normal littermate. 3. Protein and total RNA isolated from mouse brain tissue and primary type 1 astrocyte cultures were studied with Western and Northern blotting techniques. There was no measurable difference ir PDGFR-alpha protein expression between the Patch and wild-type mouse nervous system. Adjustment of transcriptional efficiency and messenger stability may contribute to this phenomenon, whose biological significance remains unclear. 4. Further, the expression of PDGRF-alpha protein and message in mouse brain tissues is developmentally regulated. Its level remains high during the embryonic period and declines below measurable levels in adult.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson 39216-4500, USA.
authors.forename: F X
authors.initials: FX
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Hutchins
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000196:embryology / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D005804:Genes, Lethal; D006579:Heterozygote; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008817:Mice, Mutant Strains / Q000196:embryology / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000172:deficiency / Q000235:genetics; D010859:Pigmentation Disorders / Q000235:genetics; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D017479:Receptors, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000172:deficiency / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D017479:Receptors, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor