Cloning and Localization of Developmentally Regulated Gene, Glutamate/Aspartate Transporter (GLAST) Gene, in the Developing Rat Cerebellum / 대한해부학회지

ABSTRACT

In this study, S59158, a gene of GLAST (L-Glutamate/L-Aspartate transporter), was cloned by ordered differential display PCR with developing rat brains. The mRNA expression of this gene in the developing rat brain and the effect of kainic acid (KA), glutamate analogue, on this gene were investigated with in situ hybridization histochemistry. The expression of S59158 was restricted to nervous system and observed from E12 (embryonic day 12), peaked at E20, and gradually decreased to adult level. In embryos, S59158 was prominently expressed in the subventricular zones throughout the brain. After birth, strong expression was observed in the purkinje cell layer of cerebellum and moderate level of expression was observed in the subventricular zone, olfactory bulb, hippocampal formation, and cerebral cortex. In the KA treated rat brains, the expression of S59158 was significantly increased in dentate gyrus, hippocampus, and cerebral cortex. From these results, it may be suspected that S59158 is related to the development of the brain and is induced by increased extracellular glutamate level.