title: Expression mapping of cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-2alpha gene transcripts in mouse brain.
abstract: Cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-2alpha (CTLA-2alpha), an inhibitor peptide homologous to the proregion of mouse cathepsin L, was originally discovered and expressed in mouse-activated T-cells and mast cells. Expressed recombinant CTLA-2alpha is shown to exhibit selective inhibition to cathepsin L-like cysteine proteinases. However, its in vivo targets in mammalian tissues are yet to be identified. We carried out in situ hybridization studies to examine the expression pattern of CTLA-2alpha mRNA and determine the specific cell types synthesizing CTLA-2alpha in the mouse brain. CTLA-2alpha mRNA was detected in various neuronal populations within the telencephalon in cerebral cortices, olfactory system, septum, basal ganglia, amygdala and highest levels were observed in the hippocampus. Within the diencephalon high density of positive cells was found in mediodorsal and lateral posterior thalamic nuclei and medial habenular nucleus (MHb). In the hypothalamus, high density of CTLA-2alpha mRNA labeling was seen in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (Sch), optic tract, arcuate nucleus, and median eminence. The fasciculus retroflexus and its termination in the mesencephalic interpeduncular nucleus were also densely labeled. Other mesencephalic expression sites were the superior colliculus, periaqueductal gray, paramedian raphe nucleus, and inferior colliculus. In the rhombencephalon, strong labeling was detected in the pontine, vestibular, and reticular nuclei. Intense expression was also noted within cerebellar cortex in Purkinje neurons and at a moderate level in granule cell layer, stellate, and basket cells. A possible function of this novel inhibitor peptide in relation to learning, memory, and diseases is discussed.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Biochemistry and Radiation Biology, Department of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Yamaguchi University, Yamaguchi, 753-8515, Japan.
authors.forename: Claudius
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Luziga
authors.forename: Orie
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Nakamura
authors.forename: R M C
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Deshapriya
authors.forename: Masaru
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Usui
authors.forename: Masanori
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Miyaji
authors.forename: Miho
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wakimoto
authors.forename: Naomi
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Wada
authors.forename: Yoshimi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yamamoto
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000943:Antigens, Differentiation / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D001921:Brain / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism; D014176:Protein Biosynthesis; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
chemical_list: D000943:Antigens, Differentiation; D012333:RNA, Messenger; C102076:cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-2, mouse