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Regulation of microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP2) mRNA expression during rat brain development

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Abstract

The expression of MAP2 during rat brain development was studied by using specific antibodies and cDNA probes. MAP2 cDNAs were isolated from a rat brain λgt11 library, and their identity was confirmed by the reactivity of their fusion proteins with several independent monoclonal antibodies that recognize MAP2. Northern blot analyses of the RNA prepared from whole brains, cerebral cortex, hypothalamus, brain stem, olfactory bulbs, and cerebellum showed that the levels of MAP2 mRNA increase during the initial phase of development, reach a maximum between postnatal weeks 2 and 3, and then decrease in the adult. The time course and the kinetics of this change varied between different brain regions and appeared to reflect the pattern of morphological changes in these regions RNA blots were also analyzed with β-tubulin and β-actin cDNA probes to ensure the quality and the quantity of the RNA. The levels of MAP2 mRNA and protein showed similar changes during the initial part of brain development and suggested a transcriptional control. However, while MAP2 protein levels remained high throughout development, MAP2 mRNA levels decreased in adulthood. We suggest that the increased stability of the MAP2 molecule may be a contributing factor in the developmental regulation of steady-state levels of MAP2. *** DIRECT SUPPORT *** A07GO001 00014

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biochemistry, E.K Shriver Center, 200 Trapelo Road, 02254, Waltham, MA, USA

    Roohangiz Safaei & Itzhak Fischer

  2. Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

    Roohangiz Safaei & Itzhak Fischer

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  1. Roohangiz Safaei
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  2. Itzhak Fischer
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Safaei, R., Fischer, I. Regulation of microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP2) mRNA expression during rat brain development. J Mol Neurosci 1, 189–198 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02918906

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