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Alterations in the Sp1 binding and Fmr-1 gene expression in the cortex of the brain during maturation and aging of mouse

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Abstract

Fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP) has been implicated in learning, memory and cognition, therefore, information on alterations in FMRP expression during maturation and aging may provide a clue towards understanding mechanisms of age-dependent cognitive changes in the brain. In the present paper, we have studied Fmr-1 gene expression and its correlation with interaction of a tans-acting factor Sp1with Fmr-1 promoter in the cerebral cortex of female mice at post natal period during maturation and aging. Our data reveal that level of Fmr-1 transcript in the cerebral cortex is significantly up regulated at day 7 after birth compared to day 0 (the day of birth) and is gradually down regulated from day 15 onward to old age. The pattern of Fmr-1 transcript levels corresponds with the level of FMRP, however, its level is significantly up regulated in old age compared to adult mice. Our EMSA data revealed the formation of a single complex as a result of binding of Sp1with Fmr-1 promoter sequence. Its intensity gradually decreased from the day 0 (day of birth) till day 15, remained unaltered in young, significantly decreased in adult and significantly increased in old age. Our data suggests that age-dependent alteration in the Fmr-1 gene expression is associated with Sp1 interaction with Fmr-1 promoter which in turn might be related with cognitive development during brain maturation and aging.

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Acknowledgments

PG thanks UGC for providing JRF and ICMR for Senior Research Fellowships (File No: 45/12/2008/BMS/aging). Financial assistance from CSIR (37/1389/09/EMR-II) and BRNS (2009/37/55/3298), Govt. of India to SP is gratefully acknowledged.

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  1. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Lab, CAS in Zoology, Banaras Hindu, University, Varanasi, 221005, UP, India

    Pankaj Gaur & S. Prasad

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  1. Pankaj Gaur
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Correspondence to S. Prasad.

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Gaur, P., Prasad, S. Alterations in the Sp1 binding and Fmr-1 gene expression in the cortex of the brain during maturation and aging of mouse. Mol Biol Rep 41, 6855–6863 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11033-014-3571-1

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