title: Reduction of actin-related protein complex 2/3 in fetal Down syndrome brain.
abstract: Down syndrome (DS) patients present with morphological abnormalities in brain development, leading to mental retardation. Given the importance of actin cytoskeleton to form the basis of various cell functions, the regulation of actin system is crucial during brain development. We therefore aimed to study the expression levels of actin binding proteins in fetal DS and control cortex. We evaluated the levels of eight actin binding proteins using the proteomic approach of two-dimensional gel electrophoresis with subsequent mass spectroscopical identification of protein spots. In fetal DS brain we found a significant reduction of the actin-related protein complex 2/3 (Arp2/3) 20 kDa subunit and the coronin-like protein p57, which are involved in actin filament cross-linking and nucleation and capping of actin filaments. We conclude that deficient levels of these proteins may, at least partially, be involved in the dysgenesis of the brain in DS.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neonatology, University of Vienna, A-1090 Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: Rachel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Weitzdoerfer
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fountoulakis
authors.forename: Gert
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lubec
mesh_terms: D008841:Actin Cytoskeleton / Q000648:ultrastructure; D051377:Actin-Related Protein 2; D051378:Actin-Related Protein 3; D000199:Actins / Q000378:metabolism*; D001921:Brain / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism*; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins; D004314:Down Syndrome / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism*; D015180:Electrophoresis, Gel, Two-Dimensional; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008840:Microfilament Proteins / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: C495926:ACTR2 protein, human; C495928:ACTR3 protein, human; D051377:Actin-Related Protein 2; D051378:Actin-Related Protein 3; D000199:Actins; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins; D008840:Microfilament Proteins