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mRNA Expression of Proteins Involved in Iron Homeostasis in Brain Regions is Altered by Age and by Iron Overloading in the Neonatal Period

Neurochemical Research volume 35, pages 564–571 (2010)Cite this article

Abstract

Abnormally high levels of iron are observed in the brain of patients suffering from neurodegenerative disorders. The mechanisms involved in iron accumulation in neurodegenerative disorders remain poorly understood. In the present study we investigated the effects of aging and neonatal iron overload on the mRNA expression of proteins critically involved in controlling iron homeostasis. Wistar rat pups received a single daily dose of vehicle or iron (10 mg/kg of b.w. of Fe2+), at postnatal days 12–14. The expression of Transferrin Receptor (TfR), H-Ferritin, and IRP2 were analyzed by a semi-quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction assay in cortex, hippocampus and striatum of rats sacrificed at three different ages (15-day-old; 90-day-old and 2-year old rats). Results indicate that TfR, H-ferritin, and IRP2 mRNA expression was differentially affected by aging and by neonatal iron treatment in all three brain regions. These findings might have implications for the understanding of iron homeostasis misregulation associated with neurodegenerative disorders.

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Acknowledgments

A.S.D. is recipient of a CAPES fellowship. G.V. is supported by a PIBIC/CNPq fellowship. NS and MRB are CNPq research fellows.

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Affiliations

  1. Neurobiology and Developmental Biology Laboratory, Faculty of Biosciences, Pontifical Catholic University, 90619-900, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil

    Arethuza S. Dornelles, Vanessa A. Garcia, Maria N. M. de Lima, Gustavo Vedana, Luisa A. Alcalde & Nadja Schröder

  2. Genomics and Molecular Biology Laboratory, Faculty of Biosciences, Pontifical Catholic University, 90619-900, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil

    Maurício R. Bogo

  3. National Institute for Translational Medicine (INCT-TM), 90035-003, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil

    Maurício R. Bogo & Nadja Schröder

  4. Department of Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Biosciences, Pontifical Catholic University, Av. Ipiranga, 6681 Prédio 12C, Sala 340, 90619-900, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil

    Nadja Schröder

Authors
  1. Arethuza S. Dornelles
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  2. Vanessa A. Garcia
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  3. Maria N. M. de Lima
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  4. Gustavo Vedana
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  5. Luisa A. Alcalde
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  6. Maurício R. Bogo
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  7. Nadja Schröder
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Correspondence to Nadja Schröder.

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Dornelles, A.S., Garcia, V.A., de Lima, M.N.M. et al. mRNA Expression of Proteins Involved in Iron Homeostasis in Brain Regions is Altered by Age and by Iron Overloading in the Neonatal Period. Neurochem Res 35, 564–571 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11064-009-0100-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11064-009-0100-z

Keywords

  • Iron
  • Ferritin
  • Transferrin receptor
  • Iron regulatory protein
  • Aging
  • Neurodegenerative disorders