Spatial Distribution of Parvalbumin-Positive Fibers in the Mouse Brain and Their Alterations in Mouse Models of Temporal Lobe Epilepsy and Parkinson's Disease.

Parvalbumin interneurons belong to the major types of GABAergic interneurons. Although the distribution and pathological alterations of parvalbumin interneuron somata have been widely studied, the distribution and vulnerability of the neurites and fibers extending from parvalbumin interneurons have not been detailly interrogated. Through the Cre recombinase-reporter system, we visualized parvalbumin-positive fibers and thoroughly investigated their spatial distribution in the mouse brain.

[Determination of GATA-4 in the testis of the mouse].

Objective: To explore the characteristics and distribution of GATA-4 in the testis of male mice.

Methods: Paraffin sections were obtained from the testes of 24 male B6SJLF1/J mice, aged 0 day (n = 6), 2 weeks (n = 6), 4 weeks (n = 6) and 6 weeks (n = 6), and the expressions of GATA-4 in the testis were observed by the immunohistochemical ABC method and DAB visualization at different times.

Results: Positive expressions of GATA4 were found in the Sertoli cells and Leydig cells of all the mice, but significantly higher in the 4- and 6-week-old than in the 0-day and 2-week-old groups (P < 0.

[Construction of the eukaryotic expression plasmid containing lvgA gene flanked with CpG motifs of Legionella pneumophila and its expression in NIH3T3 cells].

Objective: To construct the eukaryotic expression plasmid containing lvgA gene flanked with CpG motifs of Legionella pneumophila for its expression in NIH3T3 cells.

Methods: lvgA gene flanked with CpG motifs of Legionella pneumophila was amplified by PCR. The PCR products was inserted into the eukaryotic expression plasmid pcDNA3.

[The GATA family in reproduction].

The GATA family proteins are a group of zinc finger transcription factors that are expressed in human and mammalian animals and play an important role in mammalian organ morphogenesis, cell proliferation and sex differentiation. GATA-4 and GATA-6 have been identified in the ovaries and testes of humans, mice, pigs and chickens. GATA-4 contributes to fetal male gonadal development by regulating the genes that mediate Müllerian duct regression and the onset of testosterone production.