Na,K-ATPase: increases in alpha1-messenger RNA and decreases in alpha3-messenger RNA levels in aging rat cerebral cortex.
Age-related changes in the expression of Na,K-ATPase catalytic (alpha) subunit isoform messenger RNAs were investigated by in situ hybridization in frontal-parietal cortex of Fischer-344 male rats. It was found that the density of alpha1-messenger RNA, present in glia and some neurons, increases dramatically in the neuropil of cortex and in the corpus callosum of the aged (24 months) as compared to young (three months) rats. In contrast, levels of alpha3-messenger RNA, which is neuron-specific, decrease dramatically over the neurons of layers III and V and retrosplenial cortex in the aged as compared to the young animals, despite no changes in cellular density. The declines in the levels of neuron-specific alpha3-messenger RNA may constitute a very early change in age-related differentiation of brain. These changes in Na,K-ATPase isoform expression may represent a candidate for an age-related factor predisposing to or potentiating certain neurodegenerative diseases.
Chauhan
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Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience Laboratory, Edward Hines Jr Veterans Affairs Hospital, Hines, Illinois, U.S.A.
Siegel
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G
D000818:Animals; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000166:cytology / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism*; D003712:Dendrites / Q000378:metabolism; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008297:Male; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D051381:Rats; D011916:Rats, Inbred F344; D000254:Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase / Q000096:biosynthesis*
D007527:Isoenzymes; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D000254:Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase