title: Brain-derived neurotrophic factor: mRNA expression and protein distribution in the brain of the teleost Nothobranchius furzeri.
abstract: BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor) is a member of the neurotrophin family and it is implicated in regulating brain development and function. The BDNF gene organization and coding sequence are conserved in all vertebrates. The present survey was conducted in a teleost fish, Nothobranchius furzeri, because it is an emerging model of aging studies due to its short lifespan and shows the high rate of adult neurogenesis typical of anamniotes. The present survey reports: 1) the identification and characterization of the cDNA fragment encoding BDNF protein, and 2) the localization of BDNF in the whole brain. BDNF mRNA expression was assessed by in situ hybridization, by employing an antisense RNA probe; BDNF protein was detected by employing a sensitive immunohistochemical technique, along with highly specific affinity-purified antibodies to BDNF. Both BDNF mRNA and protein were detected in neurons and glial cells of all regions of the brain of N. furzeri. Interestingly, BDNF was localized also in brain areas involved in adult neurogenic activities, suggesting a specific role for this neurotrophic factor in controlling cell proliferation. These results provide baseline information for future studies concerning BDNF involvement in the aging processes of the teleost brain.
authors: Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, University of Naples Federico II, Napoli, Italy; Biology of Ageing, Leibniz Institute for Age Research, Fritz-Lipmann Institute, Jena, Germany.
authors: Livia
authors: L
authors: D'Angelo
authors: Paolo
authors: P
authors: De Girolamo
authors: Carla
authors: C
authors: Lucini
authors: Eva Tozzini
authors: ET
authors: Terzibasi
authors: Mario
authors: M
authors: Baumgart
authors: Luciana
authors: L
authors: Castaldo
authors: Alessandro
authors: A
authors: Cellerino
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000378:metabolism*; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D005399:Fishes; D005634:Fructose-Bisphosphate Aldolase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D005634:Fructose-Bisphosphate Aldolase
keywords: BDNF; Nothobranchius furzeri; brain; phylogenesis