Regional distribution of heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor mRNA and protein in adult rat forebrain.
Heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor (HB-EGF) is a recently described member of the EGF family that binds to and stimulates phosphorylation of the EGF receptor (EGFR). In this study, we examined the cellular localization of HB-EGF gene transcripts and protein in adult rat forebrain. In situ hybridization studies showed that neurons in various regions, including cortex, hippocampus, and deep structures, express HB-EGF mRNA. Positively labeled cells were also present in white matter, which suggests that both neurons and glia express HB-EGF mRNA. Immunohistochemical studies with an antibody specific to proHB-EGF, a transmembrane form of HB-EGF, demonstrated ubiquitous immunoreactivity in neurons and glial cells in white matter. In view of the wide expression of its cognitive receptor, EGFR, in central nervous system neurons, our results suggest that HB-EGF is an endogenous ligand for EGFR in the central nervous system and may play an important role in physiological conditions.
Mishima
K
K
Department of Neurosurgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tokyo, Japan.
Higashiyama
S
S
Nagashima
Y
Y
Miyagi
Y
Y
Tamura
A
A
Kawahara
N
N
Taniguchi
N
N
Asai
A
A
Kuchino
Y
Y
Kirino
T
T
D000818:Animals; D016375:Antisense Elements (Genetics); D018076:DNA, Complementary / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics*; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000502:physiology; D006493:Heparin / Q000235:genetics; D066257:Heparin-binding EGF-like Growth Factor; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D008297:Male; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D016548:Prosencephalon / Q000737:chemistry*; D011498:Protein Precursors / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley
D016375:Antisense Elements (Genetics); D018076:DNA, Complementary; C587885:Hbegf protein, rat; D066257:Heparin-binding EGF-like Growth Factor; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D011498:Protein Precursors; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor; D006493:Heparin