Bcl-w expression is increased in brain regions affected by focal cerebral ischemia in the rat.
Proteins of the bcl-2 family are important regulators of apoptosis in many tissues of the embryo and adult and may play a role in cell death following stroke. The recently isolated bcl-w gene encodes a pro-survival member of the bcl-2 family, which is widely expressed. However, it is not known whether bcl-w plays a role in determining cell survival after cerebral ischemia. Using Western blot analysis and immunocytochemistry, regional bcl-w protein expression was studied in rat brain 2, 6, 24 and 72 h following 20 min temporary middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Focal cerebral ischemia increased bcl-w protein expression within the caudate putamen and parietal cortex, as well as causing milder increases within frontal cortex. Immunocytochemically bcl-w was expressed within neurons (frontal and parietal cortex) and glia (caudate putamen) 24 h after MCAO. These data suggest that bcl-w could play a role in determining cell survival after cerebral ischemia.
Minami
M
M
Neurobiology Research, Clinical Research & Technology Center, Legacy Health System, Portland, OR 97208-3950, USA.
Jin
K L
KL
Li
W
W
Nagayama
T
T
Henshall
D C
DC
Simon
R P
RP
D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000502:physiology; D051017:Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism*; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D002470:Cell Survival; D002560:Cerebrovascular Circulation / Q000502:physiology; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats
D051017:Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins; D002352:Carrier Proteins; C090468:TP53BP2 protein, human