The streptozotocin-induced rat model of diabetes mellitus evidences significant reduction of myosin-Va expression in the brain

Metab Brain Dis. 2011 Dec;26(4):247-51. doi: 10.1007/s11011-011-9259-5. Epub 2011 Aug 13.

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is a disease characterized by increased glucose levels in the blood. Hyperglycemia causes damage to the brain tissue, and induces significant changes in synaptic transmission. In this investigation, we have found a significant alteration in the expression of the molecular motor involved in the synaptic vesicles transport, myosin-Va, and its distribution in rat brains of streptozotocin-induced diabetes model. Brains were removed after 20 days, homogenized and analysed by Western blotting, qRT-PCR and immunohistochemistry. Myosin-Va presented significantly lower levels of both mRNA and protein in diabetic than those observed in non-diabetic animals. Moreover, neuronal and glial cells of the occipital and frontal cortex exhibited decreased myosin-Va immunostaining in diabetic rat brains. In conclusion, diabetic rat brains displayed altered expression and distribution of myosin-Va, and these finding may contribute to the basic understanding about this myosin role in brain function related to diabetes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Brain Chemistry / physiology*
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / chemically induced
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / metabolism*
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Frontal Lobe / cytology
  • Frontal Lobe / metabolism
  • Hyperglycemia / metabolism*
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Male
  • Myosin Type V / metabolism*
  • Neuroglia / metabolism
  • Neurons / metabolism
  • Occipital Lobe / cytology
  • Occipital Lobe / metabolism
  • RNA, Messenger / biosynthesis
  • RNA, Messenger / isolation & purification
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Streptozocin / adverse effects
  • Synaptic Vesicles / metabolism*

Substances

  • RNA, Messenger
  • Streptozocin
  • Myosin Type V