Immunohistochemical study on the distribution of phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) in the central nervous system of SOD1G93A transgenic mice.
In the present study, we performed immunohistochemical studies to investigate the changes of phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinases (pERK) in the central nervous system of SOD1(G93A) transgenic mice. In symptomatic transgenic mice, pERK-immunoreactive astrocytes were detected in the spinal cord, brainstem, central gray and cerebellar nuclei. In contrast to symptomatic mice, no pERK-immunoreactive astrocytes were observed in any brain region of wtSOD1 and presymptomatic mice, and the number and intensity of stained neurons were not different at the age of 8 weeks and 13 weeks. Interestingly, region-specific alterations in pERK immunoreactivity were observed in the hippocampal region and cerebellum. These results provide the first evidence that pERK-immunoreactive astrocytes were found in the CNS of SOD1(G93A) transgenic mice after clinical symptoms, showing a possible consequence of the pathological process of ALS. This study has also demonstrated that pERK increases in the hippocampus and cerebellum, suggesting a role of pERK in an abnormality of cognitive and/or motor function in ALS, respectively. However, the mechanisms underlying the increased immunoreactivity for pERK and the functional implications require elucidation.
Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine, Chung-Ang University, 221 Heukseok-Dong, Dongjak-Gu, Seoul 156-756, Korea.
Yoon Hee
YH
Chung
Kyeung Min
KM
Joo
Heon Chang
HC
Lim
Mi Haeng
MH
Cho
Daejin
D
Kim
Won Bok
WB
Lee
Choong Ik
CI
Cha
D000690:Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D000818:Animals; D001253:Astrocytes / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D048049:Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases / Q000378:metabolism*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D010766:Phosphorylation; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000235:genetics*
C109415:SOD1 G93A protein; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D048049:Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases