[Study of zinc on the modulation of Uch-L1 expression in hippocampus of growing rats].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effect of zinc on Uch-L1 expression in hippocampus of growing rats.


METHODS
Thirty-six male weanling Wistar rats were randomly assigned to zinc-adequate (ZA), zinc-deficient (ZD) and pair-fed (PF) groups. Rats of ZD group were given free access to a basal diet (Zn 1.5 mg/kg). Rats of other two groups were given the basal diet supplemented with zinc sulfate (Zn 30 mg/kg). PF rats consumed the same intakes as the corresponding ZD partner on the previous day. After 4-wk treatment, plasma zinc concentration and alkaline phosphatase activity were tested. Passive avoidance performance was used to examine learning and memory function. Western blot and RT-PCR were used to assess the expressions of Uch-L1 protein and mRNA in rat hippocampus, respectively.


RESULTS
Zinc deprivation dramatically decreased plasma zinc concentration and alkaline phosphatase activity. Significantly shorter latency period in passive avoidance performance in ZD group were observed. Uch-L1 protein and mRNA expression levels in hippocampus significantly reduced in comparison with ZA and PF groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Zinc deficiency could induce downregulation of Uch-L1 expression.
Liu
Jing
J
Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, West China School of Public Health, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.
Jiang
Yugang
Y
Huang
Chengyu
C
Fang
Hongyun
H
D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D007858:Learning / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory / Q000187:drug effects; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D043222:Ubiquitin Thiolesterase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D014886:Weaning; D015032:Zinc / Q000097:blood / Q000172:deficiency*
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase; C489034:UCHL1 protein, rat; D043222:Ubiquitin Thiolesterase; D015032:Zinc