[Effect of prenatal lead exposure on the gene transcription and protein expression level of POU-domain protein Brn-3a in different regions of offspring rat brain].
OBJECTIVE
To explore the effects of lead on the transcription factor Brn-3a expression level in the neurons of central nervous system.


METHODS
The pregnant rats were randomly divided into 4 groups, which were provided with distilled water, 0.5 g/L, 1.0 g/L, 2.0 g/L lead acetate solution via drinking water respectively, the lead-exposed period for exposure groups was limited from the 15th day after pregnancy to the 21st day when the offspring began to weaned and various brain regions were obtained. Brn-3a mRNA transcription level were observed by polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Brn-3a proteins expression level were observed by immunohistochemistry method.


RESULTS
The RT-PCR results showed that Brn-3a mRNA transcription level decreased significantly in neural cells from cerebral hippocampus in every lead treatment group compared with the control group (P < 0.05). The immunohistochemistry results showed that Brn-3a decreased significantly in lead poisoning groups compared with that of control group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
Brn-3a mRNA transcription level and protein expression level were decreased in brain regions in this study. The results showed that lead-exposure might interfere the normal model of Brn-3a protein expression, so it interfered the differentiation of neuronal cells.
School of Medicine, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430065, China. changwei-428@sina.com
Wei
W
Chang
Hong
H
Xie
Xuemin
X
Chen
D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D007854:Lead / Q000633:toxicity*; D008297:Male; D018811:Maternal Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects / Q000235:genetics*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D050819:Transcription Factor Brn-3A / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic / Q000187:drug effects
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D050819:Transcription Factor Brn-3A; D007854:Lead