Distribution of estramustine-binding protein during postnatal development of rat brain.
Estramustine-binding protein (EMBP) is expressed in several types of brain tumors, such as astrocytoma, ependymoma, and meningioma. It binds the cytotoxic drug estramustine with high affinity and is suggested to cause accumulation of the drug in EMBP-expressing tumor cells. In this study, the spatial distribution of EMBP in normal rat brain was studied with immunohistochemistry. Brains from male and female rats of different ages were used. EMBP was found in the cytoplasm of ependymal cells, in the leptomeninges, mainly the arachnoid, and in scattered neurons. Moreover, staining was seen in nuclei of choroid plexus cells, in the granular cell layer in the cerebellum, and in a few scattered endothelial cells. The nuclear staining was more frequent in younger animals. No obvious difference in EMBP expression between male and female rats was observed. The expression of EMBP in rat brain was confirmed with nested RT-PCR. Future studies are justified to elucidate the role of EMBP-like proteins in CNS and in brain tumors.
Karlsson
A E
AE
Department of Oncology, Umeå University, 901 85 Umeå, Sweden. anna.karlsson@onkologi.umu.se
Bergenheim
A T
AT
Brännström
T
T
Hedman
H
H
Henriksson
R
R
D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000166:cytology / Q000254:growth & development*; D001923:Brain Chemistry; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D002531:Cerebellum / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology; D002831:Choroid Plexus / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology; D004805:Ependyma / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology; D004961:Estramustine; D005260:Female; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008578:Meninges / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D029584:Prostatic Secretory Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012737:Sex Factors; D014018:Tissue Distribution
D002352:Carrier Proteins; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D029584:Prostatic Secretory Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; C028321:estramustine-binding protein; D004961:Estramustine