Age-related differentiation in newly generated DCX immunoreactive neurons in the subgranular zone of the gerbil dentate gyrus.
In the present study, we investigated age-related changes of newborn neurons in the gerbil dentate gyrus using doublecortin (DCX), a marker of neuronal progenitors which differentiate into neurons in the brain. In the postnatal month 1 (PM 1) group, DCX immunoreactivity was detected in the subgranular zone of the dentate gyrus, but DCX immunoreactive neurons did not have fully developed processes. Thereafter, DCX immunoreactivity and its protein levels in the dentate gyrus were found to decrease with age. Between PM 3 and PM 18, DCX immunoreactive neuronal progenitors showed well-developed processes which projected to the granular layer of the dentate gyrus, but at PM 24, a few DCX immunoreactive neuronal progenitors were detected in the subgranular zone of the dentate gyrus. DCX protein level in the dentate gyrus at PM 1 was high, thereafter levels of DCX were decreased with time. The authors suggest that a decrease of DCX immunoreactivity and its protein level with age may be associated with aging processes in the hippocampal dentate gyrus.
Hwang
In Koo
IK
Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, College of Veterinary Medicine and BK21 Program for Veterinary Science, Seoul National University, Seoul 151-742, South Korea.
Yoo
Ki-Yeon
KY
Yi
Sun Shin
SS
Kwon
Young-Guen
YG
Ahn
Young-Keun
YK
Seong
Je Kyung
JK
Lee
In Se
IS
Yoon
Yeo Sung
YS
Won
Moo-Ho
MH
D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D018891:Dentate Gyrus / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D000089622:Doublecortin Domain Proteins; D005849:Gerbillinae; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008869:Microtubule-Associated Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism*; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000378:metabolism*
D000089622:Doublecortin Domain Proteins; D008869:Microtubule-Associated Proteins; D009479:Neuropeptides