Growth-associated protein-43 is increased in cerebrum of immature rats following induction of hydrocephalus.
Hydrocephalus is associated with gradual progressive impairment and destruction of cerebral axons and neurons. Growth associated protein-43 appears to be permissive for neuro-axonal regeneration and synaptic remodeling. Hydrocephalus was induced in three-week-old rats by injection of kaolin into the cisterna magna. Compared to controls, cerebral growth-associated protein-43 messenger RNA was significantly up-regulated one week after kaolin injection and the overall cerebral growth-associated protein-43 protein level was significantly higher at four weeks when the ventricles were severely enlarged. One and three weeks after kaolin injection, growth-associated protein-43-like immunoreactivity was increased in periventricular axons, and also in the cerebral cortex at three weeks. Hydrocephalic rats that had been treated by shunting after one week, exhibited growth-associated protein-43 messenger RNA and protein levels intermediate between hydrocephalic rats and control rats. The increase in periventricular axon growth-associated protein-43, early in the course of experimental hydrocephalus, suggests that through early intervention there may be a chance for preventing or reversing the axonal injury. Cortical expression of growth associated protein-43 suggests that an alteration in synaptogenesis may also occur.
Department of Pathology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada.
Y W
YW
Zhang
M R
MR
Del Bigio
D000818:Animals; D001369:Axons / Q000378:metabolism; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D019922:GAP-43 Protein / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006849:Hydrocephalus / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D007616:Kaolin; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013997:Time Factors; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
D019922:GAP-43 Protein; D007616:Kaolin