Distribution of constitutively expressed MEF-2A in adult rat and human nervous systems.
Myocyte enhancer factor 2A (MEF-2A) is a calcium-regulated transcription factor that promotes cell survival during nervous system development. To define and further characterize the distribution pattern of MEF-2A in the adult mammalian brain, we used a specific polyclonal antiserum against human MEF-2A to identify nuclear-localized MEF-2A protein in hippocampal and frontal cortical regions. Western blot and immunocytochemical analyses showed that MEF-2A was expressed not only in laminar structures but also in blood vessels of rat and human brains. MEF-2A was colocalized with doublecortin (DCX), a microtubule-associated protein expressed by migrating neuroblasts, in CA1 and CA2 boundaries of the hippocampus. MEF-2A was expressed heterogeneously in additional structures of the rat brain, including the striatum, thalamus, and cerebellum. Furthermore, we found a strong nuclear and diffuse MEF-2A labeling pattern in spinal cord cells of rat and human material. Finally, the neurovasculature of adult rats and humans not only showed a strong expression of MEF-2A but also labeled positive for hyperpolarization-activated, cyclic nucleotide-regulated (HCN) channels. This study further characterizes the distribution pattern of MEF-2A in the mammalian nervous system, demonstrates that MEF-2A colocalizes with DCX in selected neurons, and finds MEF-2A and HCN1 proteins in the neurovasculature network.
Department of Neuroscience, New York College of Osteopathic Medicine of New York Institute of Technology, Old Westbury, New York 11568, USA.
Rebecca A
RA
Ruffle
Andrew C
AC
Mapley
Manmeet K
MK
Malik
Salvatore V
SV
Labruzzo
Janet M
JM
Chabla
Riya
R
Jose
Brian H
BH
Hallas
Han-Gang
HG
Yu
Judith M
JM
Horowitz
German
G
Torres
D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D015153:Blotting, Western; D000089662:Doublecortin Protein; D005260:Female; D005625:Frontal Lobe / Q000098:blood supply / Q000378:metabolism*; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000098:blood supply / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D026161:MADS Domain Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D064326:MEF2 Transcription Factors; D008297:Male; D018006:Myogenic Regulatory Factors / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D020318:Rats, Long-Evans; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000098:blood supply / Q000378:metabolism*
C000714848:Dcx protein, rat; D000089662:Doublecortin Protein; D026161:MADS Domain Proteins; D064326:MEF2 Transcription Factors; C578035:MEF2A protein, human; D018006:Myogenic Regulatory Factors