Abstract
Peripherin is a type III intermediate filament protein normally undetectable in most brain neurons. Here, we report a similar pattern of peripherin expression in the brains of both mice treated with systemic injections of kainic acid (KA) and in peripherin transgenic mice (Per mice) over-expressing the normal peripherin gene under its own promoter. Double-immunofluorescence labeling revealed a partial co-localization of peripherin with the microtubule-associated protein MAP2, but not with neurofilament proteins. Electrophysiological studies revealed that synaptic plasticity was markedly altered in Per mice: in CA1, long-term potentiation (LTP) was decreased in Per slices (+29 +/- 2.0%, vs. +58 +/- 5.4%, in WT); while in CA3, LTP was increased in Per (+63 +/- 3.5% vs. +43 +/- 2.4.0%). In the hippocampus of Per mice, the levels of MAP2 were decreased, though synaptophysin and PSD95 remained unchanged. These intriguing findings suggest a role of peripherin in the alteration of hippocampal synaptic plasticity.
Publication types
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Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Animals, Genetically Modified
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Behavior, Animal / physiology
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Disease Models, Animal
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Down-Regulation / drug effects
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Down-Regulation / genetics
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Epilepsy / chemically induced
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Epilepsy / metabolism*
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Epilepsy / physiopathology
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Fluorescent Antibody Technique
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Gene Expression / drug effects
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Gene Expression / physiology
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Genetic Predisposition to Disease
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Hippocampus / drug effects
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Hippocampus / metabolism*
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Hippocampus / physiopathology
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Intermediate Filament Proteins / genetics
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Intermediate Filament Proteins / metabolism*
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Kainic Acid
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Long-Term Potentiation / genetics
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Membrane Glycoproteins / genetics
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Membrane Glycoproteins / metabolism*
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Mice
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Microtubule-Associated Proteins / metabolism
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Nerve Tissue Proteins / genetics
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Nerve Tissue Proteins / metabolism*
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Neuronal Plasticity / genetics*
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Organ Culture Techniques
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Peripherins
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Promoter Regions, Genetic / drug effects
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Promoter Regions, Genetic / genetics
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Synaptic Transmission / genetics*
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Synaptophysin / metabolism
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Thalamus / metabolism
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Thalamus / physiopathology
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Up-Regulation / drug effects
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Up-Regulation / genetics
Substances
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Intermediate Filament Proteins
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Membrane Glycoproteins
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Microtubule-Associated Proteins
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Mtap2 protein, mouse
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Nerve Tissue Proteins
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Peripherins
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Synaptophysin
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Kainic Acid