title: Differential expression of the small GTP-binding proteins RhoA, RhoB, Cdc42u and Cdc42b in developing rat neocortex.
abstract: Studies with cultured cells indicate that small GTPases of the Rho family may be involved in cell proliferation, differentiation, as well as migration. Therefore, we have studied the expression of four members of this protein family, i.e., RhoA, RhoB, the ubiquitous Cdc42u, and brain specific Cdc42b, during the embryonic and early postnatal development of rat neocortex. A clear isoform specificity of expression was found during the prenatal development. Thus, RhoA and Cdc42u were present in the proliferation zone while RhoB and Cdc42b were expressed only in the cortical plate where neural cells settle and differentiate. After birth, this isoform specificity quickly disappeared so that already at postnatal day 8 the adult pattern of expression was present. Our findings of a differential expression of the small GTP-binding proteins RhoA, RhoB, Cdc42u and Cdc42b in developing brain neocortex suggest isoform specific functions during neurogenesis and differentiation.
authors.affiliation: Institut für Pharmakologie der Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Hermann-Herderstr. 5, D-79104, Freiburg, Germany.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Olenik
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Aktories
authors.forename: D K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Meyer
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D018797:Cell Cycle Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D004790:Enzyme Induction; D005326:Fetal Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D019204:GTP-Binding Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D019579:Neocortex / Q000196:embryology / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000254:growth & development; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D020033:Protein Isoforms / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis; D051381:Rats; D020846:cdc42 GTP-Binding Protein, Saccharomyces cerevisiae; D020742:rhoA GTP-Binding Protein; D020743:rhoB GTP-Binding Protein
chemical_list: D018797:Cell Cycle Proteins; D005326:Fetal Proteins; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D020033:Protein Isoforms; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D019204:GTP-Binding Proteins; D020846:cdc42 GTP-Binding Protein, Saccharomyces cerevisiae; D020742:rhoA GTP-Binding Protein; D020743:rhoB GTP-Binding Protein