Expression and distribution of neuroglobin and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α in the adult yak telencephalon

Abstract

The telencephalon is also known as the cerebrum, and it consists of the largest part of the brain. It makes up about 85% of the total weight of the brain. Neuroglobin (Ngb) is a protein found in neurons of both the peripheral and central nervous system that appears to convey some resilience to hypoxia, while the hypoxia-inducible factor (Hif-1α) is a dimeric protein complex that plays an integral role in the body's response to low oxygen concentrations, or hypoxia. The study examines the expression of Ngb and Hif-1α in the telencephalon of adult yak in the telencephalon. The immunohistochemistry (IHC), quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot (WB) were employed to investigate Ngb and Hif-1α expression in the telencephalon. Ngb and Hif-1α are significantly expressed in all tissues of the telencephalon except the hypothalamus. The cerebellar cortex, hippocampus, amygdala, cerebellum and corpus callosum recorded the highest expression but not significant. The overall expression revealed that Ngb expression was higher as compared to Hif-1α. The IHC results also showed that the expression of Ngb and Hif-1α were higher in the cerebellar cortex, hippocampus, amygdala, cerebellum and corpus callosum as compared to other regions. The results suggested that Ngb and Hif-1α expression influence the adaptive mechanism of yak to the high altitude environment. Both Ngb and Hif-1α participate in oxygen transports throughout the telencephalon and have functions in neuroprotection. Further studies are needed to confirm the mechanism of adaptation.

Keywords: Hif -1a; Ngb; oxygen; telencephalon; yak.