cFos is one of the most widely-studied genes in the field of neuroscience. Currently, there is no systematic database focusing on cFos in neuroscience. We developed a curated database-cFos-ANAB-a cFos-based web tool for exploring activated neurons and associated behaviors in rats and mice, comprising 398 brain nuclei and sub-nuclei, and five associated behaviors: pain, fear, feeding, aggression, and sexual behavior. Direct relationships among behaviors and nuclei (even cell types) under specific stimulating conditions were constructed based on cFos expression profiles extracted from original publications. Moreover, overlapping nuclei and sub-nuclei with potentially complex functions among different associated behaviors were emphasized, leading to results serving as important clues to the development of valid hypotheses for exploring as yet unknown circuits. Using the analysis function of cFos-ANAB, multi-layered pictures of networks and their relationships can quickly be explored depending on users' purposes. These features provide a useful tool and good reference for early exploration in neuroscience. The cFos-ANAB database is available at www.cfos-db.net .
Animals ; Fear ; Mice ; Neurons ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos ; Rats

OBJECTIVETo investigate the correlation between the expression of key proto-oncogenes playing major roles in tumorigenic process and abnormal sarring.

METHODSImmunohistochemical technique was performed to detect the expressions of c-myc, c-fos and ras p21 proteins on hypertrophic scars, keloids and normal skin. Image analysis was used to compare their quantitative difference of expression.

RESULTSC-myc and c-fos expressions on the nucleus of fibroblasts of hypertrophic and keloid scars were significantly higher than normal skin controls, and there was no difference between the two lesions. Ras p21 expression was not detected on the fibroblasts of hypertrophic and keloid scars.

CONCLUSION1. c-myc and c-fos oncogenes are activated on hypertrophic and keloid scars, which may contribute to proliferation and differentiation of fibroblasts, synthesis and degradation of collagen and regulation of cytokines and induce abnormal scarring, the mechanisms of their effects remain to be further studied. 2. Ras gene may not mutate or its mutations may not play a major role in the process of abnormal scarring. 3. Only part of proto-oncogenes moderately expressed on abnormal scars. The expression of multiple oncogenes does not coexist in abnormal scars may be the cause of their less chances to induce malignant transformation.

Cicatrix, Hypertrophic ; metabolism ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos ; analysis ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc ; analysis ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras) ; analysis ; Proto-Oncogenes

Purpose: No ideal method for subdividing and assessing changes in neurons of the spinal cord during specific conditions has been established. We attempted to develop a method for subdividing spinal neurons using immunohistochemical and fluorescent staining, which is an important key towards understanding the mechanism of reflex voiding. Materials and Methods: Thirty Sprague-Dawley rats, weighting 200-300g, were divided into five groups. A cystometrogram was performed during saline or acetic acid instillation. We identified the neuronal pathway associated with the detrusor by injecting a pseudorabies virus (PRV) into the detrusor muscle and inspecting the changes in relation to different time sequences. An immunohistochemical staining method was used to stain the fos-protein encoded by the c-fos gene. Immunofluorescent staining was performed to evaluate changes in the neurons in relation to the voiding reflex, and the neurons then subdivided. Results: We confirmed pseudorabies virus (PRV) infection of the cells in the sacral parasympathetic nucleus through immunohistochemical staining two days after injection. On detection of an increase in c-fos positive cells after dividing the c-fos positive area of the L6 and S1 spinal cord into 4 sections, significant increases were observed in the sacral parasympathetic nucleus (SPN) and dorsal commissure (DCM). Double staining was performed to detect the neurons associated with the voiding reflex in the SPN and DCM areas showing overexpression of c-fos. Conclusions: The establishment of a method for detecting morphological changes, and subdividing neurons by immunohistochemical and fluorescent staining, may provide an important key towards understanding the mechanism of various neuromodulations of clinically applied treatments. (Korean J Urol 2005;46:487-494)
Acetic Acid ; Genes, fos ; Herpesvirus 1, Suid ; Neurons* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reflex ; Spinal Cord

OBJECTIVE: To study the expression of the Fra-1 gene in the peripheral blood of children with Wilms tumor and its clinical significance. METHODS: Fifty children pathologically diagnosed with Wilms tumor between December 2012 and January 2018 were enrolled as the case group, and 40 healthy children for physical examination were selected as the control group. Among the 45 children with Wilms tumor who were followed up, the children with continuous remission were included in the ideal efficacy group (n=33), and those with recurrence, metastasis or death were included in the poor efficacy group (n=12). Peripheral blood samples were collected from all subjects. Quantitative real-time PCR was used to measure the mRNA expression of Fra-1. RESULTS: The case group had significantly higher mRNA expression of Fra-1 in peripheral blood than the control group (P<0.05). In the case group, Fra-1 mRNA expression was significantly different between the individuals with and without distant metastasis and those with different TNM stages (P<0.05), but was not significantly different between the individuals with different sexes, ages, tumor diabetes, tumor locations and alpha-fetoprotein levels (P>0.05). The mRNA expression of Fra-1 was significantly lower in the ideal efficacy group than in the poor efficacy group (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Fra-1 may be involved in the development of Wilms tumor and plays a certain role in its development, invasion and metastasis, but the mechanism remains to be further studied.
Child ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Humans ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos ; genetics ; Wilms Tumor ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo study c-fos and substance P expression in the central nervous system following mechanical and chemical nociceptive stimulation to the masseters in rats with occlusal interference.

METHODSOcclusal interference was made by bonding a 2 mm long dentin screw in the pulp cavity of the first maxillary molar in the left side. Seven days after occlusal interference, the rats in occlusal interference and mechanical stimulus group and mechanical stimulus control group were light anesthetized and nociceptive mechanical stimulus were applied to the ipsilateral masseter. Pain response was recorded and all the animals were killed 2 hours later. The rats in the other two groups were deep anesthetized and 100 microL 5% formalin was injected into the ipsilateral masseter, killed 2 hours later. The brainstem and cervical spinal cord were processed c-fos and substance P immunoreactivity and data were quantitatively analyzed.

RESULTSBoth mechanical and chemical stimulus to the ipsilateral masseter induced increasing neuronal c-fos expression in the trigeminal nucleus and in the cervical spinal dorsal horn in occlusal interference and mechanical stimulus group and occlusal interference and chemical stimulus group (P < 0.05). Following mechanical stimulation to the ipsilateral masseter, substance P expression in the trigeminal nucleus transition zone was increased in occlusal interference and mechanical stimulus group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe central neuronal sensitization in the brainstem may play an important role in the masticatory muscle pain induced by occlusal interference.

Animals ; Masseter Muscle ; Masticatory Muscles ; Pain ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of selenium (Se) and iodine (I) and the compound of both on the proto-oncogenes c-fos and c-jun mRNA and their protein expression in the cultured rat hippocampus neurons.

METHODSUsing the technique of serum free hippocampus neuron culture, different doses of Se and I and Se + I compound were added into the medium. The expression of the mRNA of c-fos, c-jun in hippocampus neurons cultured for 1, 3, 5, 7 and 10 d were studied using both in situ hybridization and SABC immunohistochemical technique.

RESULTSBoth Se and I could enhance the expression of c-fos, c-jun mRNA and their proteins, especially the combination of I and Se able to give a remarkable effect on c-jun mRNA expression.

CONCLUSIONSSe and I may effect the expression of both c-fos and c-jun mRNA, especially the c-jun mRNA and its protein of hippocampus neurons, and thus may effect the differentiation and development of neurons.

Animals ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; metabolism ; Hippocampus ; metabolism ; Iodine ; Neurons ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-jun ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Rats ; Selenium

OBJECTIVETo observe activating protein-1 (AP- 1) members in response to changes of wall-shear stress in osteoblastic cells in vitro.

METHODSIsolated and purified osteoblastic cells from the calvaria of newborn SD rats were cultured and subcultured. The third generation cells were subjected to wall-shear stress of 0.8 Pa, 1.2 Pa, 1.4 Pa and 1.6 Pa separately. Gene expression of the seven AP-1 members were studied before (0 h) and 10 min, 15 min, 30 min, 60 min after treated with wall-shear stress.

RESULTSThe expression of FosB, c-Fos, c-Jun, JunD and JunB mRNA increased transiently after application of 1.2 Pa wall-shear stress in osteoblastic cells compared to 0.8 Pa , 1.4 Pa and 1.6 Pa stress, and peaked at 15 min.

CONCLUSIONMechanical environment changes in osteoblastic cells induced a dramatic induction of most of the AP-1 members.

Animals ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-jun ; RNA, Messenger ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Stress, Mechanical ; Transcription Factor AP-1

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) on the phenotype of the testis tissue and the testis tissue and the expression c-fos, c-Myc and beta-catenin in the rat testis.

METHODSForty-five Wistar male rats were divided into a control and three perimental groups, the former fed normally, and the latter with PCB at 0.1, 1 and 10 mg/kg respectively for 90 days. Then the effects of PCB on the phenotype of the testis tissue and the expressions of c-fos, c-Myc and p-catenin were determined by histopathology and immunohistochemistry.

RESULTSHistopathological examinations revealed testis edema, damage of the mesenchymal phenotype, morphological changes of the contorted seminiferous tubules, absence of stromal cells, spermiocytes and prespermatids, and decreased number of sperm. The expressions of c-fos and c-Myc were significantly higher in the 1 and 10 mg/kg PCB groups than in the control and 0.1 mg/kg PCB groups (P < 0.01). The expression of beta-catenin was downregulated in the 0.1 mg/kg PCB group, with significant differences from the other groups (P < 0.01), but it was higher in the 1 mg/kg PCB than in the control and 10 mg/kg PCB groups (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONPCB causes changes in the phenotype of the testis tissue, and the abnormal expressions of c-fos, c-Myc and beta-catenin are closely related to the PCB-induced testis injury.

Animals ; Male ; Polychlorinated Biphenyls ; adverse effects ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Testis ; metabolism ; pathology ; beta Catenin ; metabolism

BACKGROUNDA new brain region, the marginal division (MrD), was discovered at the caudal margin of the neostriatum. The MrD was shown to be involved in learning and memory in the rat. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of the immediate-early genes c-fos and c-jun in the MrD of the striatum during learning and memory processes in the rat, immunocytochemical and Western blot methods were used to examine Y-maze trained rats.

METHODSThe rats were divided into three groups, namely the training, pseudotraining, and control groups. After Y-maze training, the expression of the immediate-early genes c-fos and c-jun in the MrD of the rats was investigated using immunocytochemical and Western blot methods.

RESULTSAfter one hour of Y-maze training, the expression of c-jun and c-fos proteins was significantly enhanced in the MrD; the c-jun protein, in particular, was more intensely expressed in this region than in other parts of the striatum. The expression of these two proteins in the training group was significantly higher than in the pseudotraining and control groups. In addition, positive expression was also found in the hippocampus, cingulum cortex, thalamus, and in other areas. Western blot disclosed two immunoreactive bands for the anti-c-fos antibody (47 kD and 54 kD) and two immunoreactive bands for the anti-c-jun antibody (39 kD and 54 kD).

CONCLUSIONSThese results indicate that the immediate-early genes c-fos and c-jun participate in signal transduction during the learning and memory processes associated with Y-maze training in rats.

Animals ; Male ; Maze Learning ; Memory ; Neostriatum ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos ; biosynthesis ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-jun ; biosynthesis ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

To explore the changes of cold sensitivity after exposure to acute hypoxia and its mechanisms, Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into normoxia control group (21% O₂, 25 °C), 10% O₂ hypoxia group (10% O₂, 25 °C), 7% O₂ hypoxia group (7% O₂, 25 °C), normoxia cold group (21% O₂, 10 °C) and hypoxia cold group (7% O₂, 10 °C). Cold foot withdrawal latency and preference temperature of each group were measured, skin temperatures were estimated using an infrared thermographic imaging camera, body core temperature was recorded by wireless telemetry system, immunohistochemical staining was used to detect the expression of c-Fos in the lateral parabrachial nucleus (LPB). The results showed that acute hypoxia significantly prolonged the latency of cold foot withdrawal and significantly enhanced the intensity of cold stimulation for foot withdrawal, and the rats under hypoxia preferred cold temperature. Cold exposure (10 °C) for 1 h significantly enhanced the expression of c-Fos in LPB of rats in normoxia, while hypoxia inhibited cold-induced c-Fos expression. Acute hypoxia significantly increased the skin temperature of feet and tails, decreased the skin temperature of interscapular region, and decreased the body core temperature of rats. These results indicate that acute hypoxia can significantly blunt cold sensitivity through the inhibition of LPB, suggesting actively keeping warm measures should be taken at the early stage after ascent to high altitude to prevent the upper respiratory infection and acute mountain sickness.
Rats ; Animals ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Parabrachial Nucleus/physiology* ; Temperature ; Cold Temperature ; Hypoxia ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos