Pnn and SR family proteins are differentially expressed in mouse central nervous system

Histochem Cell Biol. 2011 Apr;135(4):361-73. doi: 10.1007/s00418-011-0795-1. Epub 2011 Mar 10.

Abstract

Pinin (pnn) is an SR-related protein that is ubiquitously expressed in most cell types and functions in regulating pre-mRNA splicing and mRNA export. Previously, we demonstrated that pnn is expressed in all tissues during mouse embryonic development with highest levels of expression in the central nervous system (CNS). Here we show that pnn and other SR proteins including SC35 are differentially expressed in the adult mouse CNS, displaying cell type-specific distribution patterns. Immunohistochemical analysis of whole-brain sections showed that levels of pnn and SR proteins expression were very low or nonexistent in the corpus callosum and white matter of cerebellum and spinal cord. Double-immunostaining with antibodies specific to neuron or glial cells showed that most astrocytes and microglia expressed neither pnn nor SR proteins. In contrast, oligodendrocytes and neurons expressed moderate and high levels, respectively, of both pnn and SR proteins. These results suggest that astrocytes are unique among cell types of neuroblast origin in terms of expression SR family proteins. Our results pave the way for future studies of the functional roles of pnn and SR family proteins in adults.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Central Nervous System / chemistry
  • Central Nervous System / cytology
  • Central Nervous System / metabolism*
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • In Situ Hybridization
  • Mice
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • RNA Splicing
  • RNA, Messenger / analysis
  • RNA-Binding Proteins / analysis
  • RNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • RNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism*

Substances

  • Cell Adhesion Molecules
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • Pnn protein, mouse
  • RNA, Messenger
  • RNA-Binding Proteins