Distribution and expression changes of glycogen synthase kinase-3? in aged and A?-induced neurodegenerative rat brain / 第三军医大学学报

ABSTRACT

Objective To compare the distribution and expression differences of glycogen synthase kinase-3?(GSK3?) among normal adult,aged and amyloid beta(A?)-induced neurodegenerative rat brains,so as to explore its functional role in neurodegeneration. Methods Aggregated A? was microinjected into normal adult rat hippocampus under a stereotaxic system. The rats over 12 months were defined as aged rats. The distribution and localization of GSK3? were examined using immunohistochemistry. Western blotting was performed to assess expression change in cortex and hippocampus quantitatively. Results The GSK3? positive cells were distributed extensively around the whole brain and almost with neuron-like morphology. In normal adult rats,the strong anti-GSK3? immunoreactivity located in the neocortex pyramidal layer,hippocampus pyramidal layer,dentate gyrus,thalamus,substantia nigra,etc. The amount of GSK3? positive cells was much more in the aged and A?-injected group than in normal ones. The immunoreactive signals usually extend to the distal area of neurite in the A?-injected ones. Western blot showed that the expression intensity of GSK3? was stronger in the aged and neurodegenerative rat brain than in the normal adult rat brain. Conclusion The expression of GSK3? increases apparently in the neurons of aged and A?-injected brain. It may play a role in the neurodegenerative process.