Abstract | PURPOSE: METHODS: Quantitative RT-PCR, immunoblotting, cryo-immunoelectron microscopic and immunohistochemical methods were used to characterize the expression of tau in the lenses of alphaA(-/-)-, alphaB(-/-)-, and alphaA/B(-/-)- crystallin mice. RESULTS: Immunoreactivity to tau, a 45-66 kDa brain microtubule associated protein that has been best characterized in neurons and neuronal pathologies, was uniquely upregulated in lens cortical fiber cells with aging and was associated with the microtubule fraction of alphaA(-/-)-, alphaB(-/-)-, and alphaA/B(-/-)- crystallin mouse lenses, but was undetectable in wild type lenses. Quantitative RT-PCR analysis further showed an upregulation of tau transcripts in alphaA(-/-)- and alphaA/B(-/-)- crystallin lenses. Brain microtubule fractions served as a positive control for tau in these experiments. An increase in phosphorylation of tau was detected in alphaA(-/-)- and alphaB(-/-)- crystallin brain proteins. CONCLUSIONS:
|
Authors | Fang Bai, Jing-hua Xi, Usha P Andley |
Journal | Molecular vision
(Mol Vis)
Vol. 13
Pg. 1589-600
(Sep 06 2007)
ISSN: 1090-0535 [Electronic] United States |
PMID | 17893660
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
|
Chemical References |
- RNA, Messenger
- alpha-Crystallin A Chain
- alpha-Crystallin B Chain
- tau Proteins
|
Topics |
- Aging
(metabolism)
- Animals
- Brain
(metabolism)
- Immunoblotting
- Immunohistochemistry
- Lens Cortex, Crystalline
(metabolism, ultrastructure)
- Mice
- Mice, Knockout
- Microscopy, Immunoelectron
- Phosphorylation
- RNA, Messenger
(metabolism)
- Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
- Up-Regulation
- alpha-Crystallin A Chain
(genetics, physiology)
- alpha-Crystallin B Chain
(genetics, physiology)
- tau Proteins
(genetics, metabolism)
|