Reelin expression during embryonic development of the pig brain.
BACKGROUND
Reelin is an extracellular glycoprotein of crucial importance in the developmental organisation of neurons in the mammalian cerebral cortex and other laminated brain regions. The pig possesses a gyrencephalic brain that bears resemblance to the human brain. In order to establish an animal model for neuronal migration disorders in the pig, we have studied the expression pattern and structure of Reelin during pig brain development.


RESULTS
We determined the sequence of pig Reelin mRNA and protein and identified a high degree of homology to human Reelin. A peak in Reelin mRNA and protein expression is present during the period of major neurogenesis and neuronal migration. This resembles observations for human brain development. Immunohistochemical analysis showed the highest expression of Reelin in the Cajal-Reztius cells of the marginal zone, in resemblance with observations for the developing brain in humans and other mammalian species.


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that the pig might serve as an alternative animal model to study Reelin functions and that manipulation of the pig Reelin could allow the establishment of an animal model for human neuronal migration disorders.
Nielsen
Karsten B
KB
Institute of Human Genetics, University of Aarhus, Bartholin Building 1240, Wilhelm Meyers Allé, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark. bork@ki.au.dk
Søndergaard
Annette
A
Johansen
Marianne G
MG
Schauser
Kirsten
K
Vejlsted
Morten
M
Nielsen
Anders L
AL
Jørgensen
Arne L
AL
Holm
Ida E
IE
D000818:Animals; D015153:Blotting, Western; D001921:Brain / Q000196:embryology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D015816:Cell Adhesion Molecules, Neuronal / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000502:physiology; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D055495:Neurogenesis / Q000502:physiology; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D000091042:Reelin Protein; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012697:Serine Endopeptidases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D013552:Swine
D015816:Cell Adhesion Molecules, Neuronal; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D000091042:Reelin Protein; C000717127:RELN protein, human; D012697:Serine Endopeptidases