Expression and significance of Homer1 protein isoforms in the hippocampus after diffuse axonal injury in rats
- Author:
Lei ZHANG
1
Author Information
1. Department of Neurosurgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Blotting;
Diffuse axonal injury;
Homer protein;
Immunohistochemistry;
Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction;
Western
- From:
Medical Journal of Chinese People's Liberation Army
2012;37(3):181-184
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective To investigate the expression and significance of Homer1 protein isoforms in the hippocampus after diffuse axonal injury (DAI) as a result of lateral rotation in rats. Methods Ninety-five adult male SD rats were randomly divided into the normal control (NC), sham-operated control (SOC), and DAI groups. The DAI group was further subdivided into seven subgroups. The division of seven subgroups was based on the number of hours after injury, namely, 1, 3, 6, 12, 24, 48, and 72h (n=10). Instantaneous lateral rotation was used to cause DAI in the present study. The hippocampus of the rats were harvested for immunohistochemical staining, Western blotting, and quantitative RT-PCR determination of the Homer1 expression (Homer1a and Homer1b/c). Results Five rats died during the experiment, and the results of remaining 90 were analyzed. The three detection methods showed that Homer1a protein and mRNA in the hippocampus in the DAI group started to express 1h after the injury. The expression reached the peak level at 24h (P<0.01), and maintained at a higher level until 72h (P<0.05). The expression of the protein was minimal in the NC group. In addition, the positive expression of Homer1b/c was clearly observed in the NC, SOC and DAI groups. However, there was no significant difference in the expression intensity among the three groups (P>0.05). Conclusion Homer1a was dynamically expressed in the hippocampus in the acute stage of DAI injury. Homer1b/c was expressed before and after injury. Two isoforms of Homer1 protein may play an important role in DAI. Inhibition of Homer1b/c or the promotion of Homer1a expression may have protective effects on the neurons after DAI injury.
