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Localization of DJ-1 protein in the murine brain

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Abstract

Mutations in the DJ-1 gene have been identified to cause Parkinson's disease. In humans, nonmutated DJ-1 is expressed in specific brain areas but seems to be expressed by astrocytes rather than by neurons. In contrast, DJ-1 mRNA is mainly found in neurons in the mouse brain. We have investigated the distribution of DJ-1 protein in the mouse brain and found that DJ-1 protein is predominantly expressed by neurons but can also be detected in astrocytes. Consistent with a global role of DJ-1 in the brain, we found immunoreactivity, for example, in cortical areas, hippocampus, basolateral amygdala, the reticular nucleus of the thalamus, zona incerta, and locus coeruleus. Within the substantia nigra, however, DJ-1 is localized in both neuronal and nonneuronal cells, suggesting a distinct role in this area.

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Abbreviations

BLA:

basolateral nucleus of the amygdala

CA1, CA2, CA3:

hippocampal fields CA1–CA3

CPU:

caudate-putamen

DG:

dentate gyrus

LA:

lateral nucleus of the amygdala

LC:

locus coeruleus

LS:

lateral septum

M:

motor cortex

PIR:

piriform cortex

PIR:

homeostatic model assessment

RT:

reticular nucleus of the thalamus

SNpc:

substantia nigra pars compacta

SOM:

somatosensory cortex

ZI:

zona incerta

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Acknowledgements

N.K. was supported by a fellowship from the Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (German Academic Exchange Service). We wish to thank the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (SFB 636/A5) for financial support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Physiology, Chemical Neuroanatomy, Georgian Academy of Sciences, 14 Gotua Str, 380060, Tbilisi, Georgia

    N. Kotaria

  2. Interdisciplinary Center for Neurosciences (IZN), Department of Neuroanatomy, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 307, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany

    N. Kotaria, U. Hinz, S. Zechel & O. von Bohlen und Halbach

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  1. N. Kotaria
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  2. U. Hinz
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  3. S. Zechel
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  4. O. von Bohlen und Halbach
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Correspondence to O. von Bohlen und Halbach.

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Kotaria, N., Hinz, U., Zechel, S. et al. Localization of DJ-1 protein in the murine brain. Cell Tissue Res 322, 503–507 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00441-005-0023-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00441-005-0023-1

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