Expression of presenilin 1 mRNA in rat peripheral organs and brain.
At least 50 different mutations in the presenilin 1 gene have been shown to cause early onset familial Alzheimer's disease. Although presenilin 1 has an obvious role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease, its function is still unknown. In the present study, the occurrence and distribution of presenilin 1 mRNA was examined in rat peripheral organs as well as in the brain by in situ hybridization histochemistry, using a radiolabelled oligonucleotide probe. In comparison to the brain, a high presenilin 1 mRNA expression was found in the testis, kidney, spleen, adrenal gland and thymus. It was also observed in skeletal muscle, liver, small intestine and lung, whereas no presenilin 1 could be detected in the heart, spinal cord and pancreas. Since presenilin 1 mRNA was found to be abundant in peripheral tissues which apparently are not affected in Alzheimer's disease, additional functions of presenilin 1 are suggested, unrelated to its role in the pathological processes of the disease.
Nilsberth
C
C
Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Occupational Therapy and Elderly Care Research, Karolinska Institute, Huddinge, Sweden.
Luthman
J
J
Lannfelt
L
L
Schultzberg
M
M
D000311:Adrenal Glands / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism*; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000378:metabolism; D007668:Kidney / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D009830:Olfactory Bulb / Q000378:metabolism; D009928:Organ Specificity; D053764:Presenilin-1; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013154:Spleen / Q000378:metabolism; D013737:Testis / Q000378:metabolism; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000378:metabolism
D008565:Membrane Proteins; D053764:Presenilin-1; D012333:RNA, Messenger