Abstract
The expression of connexin36 (Cx36) was studied in primary cultures of rat brain glial cells: mature astrocytes, ameboid and ramified microglia and immature oligodendrocytes (at middle period of myelinogenesis). The data from these cells were compared with those obtained from cultures of neocortical and hypothalamic neurons. mRNA encoding Cx36 was investigated by RT-PCR, the Cx36 protein by immunocytochemistry using a polyclonal antibody against Cx36 in cells characterized by antibodies specific for the single cell types. The Cx36 was found in oligodendrocytes, both ameboid and ramified microglial cells and in neurons. Astrocytes showed no detectable expression of the Cx36. The expression of Cx36 in oligodendrocytes and microglial cells suggests an involvement of the direct cell-cell communication channels formed by Cx36 in myelin formation and in brain development, damage and repair processes.
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Animals, Newborn
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Astrocytes / cytology
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Astrocytes / metabolism
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Cell Differentiation / physiology
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Cell Size / physiology
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Cells, Cultured
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Central Nervous System / cytology
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Central Nervous System / growth & development
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Central Nervous System / metabolism*
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Connexins / genetics
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Connexins / metabolism*
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Eye Proteins / genetics
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Eye Proteins / metabolism*
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Fetus
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Galactosylceramides / metabolism
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Gap Junction delta-2 Protein
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Gap Junctions / metabolism
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Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein / metabolism
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Immunohistochemistry
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Microglia / cytology
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Microglia / metabolism
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Neuroglia / cytology
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Neuroglia / metabolism*
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Neurons / cytology
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Neurons / metabolism
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Oligodendroglia / cytology
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Oligodendroglia / metabolism
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RNA, Messenger / metabolism
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Rats
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Rats, Wistar
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Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
Substances
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Connexins
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Eye Proteins
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Galactosylceramides
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Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein
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RNA, Messenger