Immunocytochemical localization of the sigma(1) receptor in the adult rat central nervous system.

In order to characterize the localization of the sigma(1) receptor in the adult rat central nervous system, a polyclonal antibody was raised against a 20 amino acid peptide, corresponding to the fragment 143-162 of the cloned sigma(1) receptor protein. Throughout the rostrocaudal regions of the central nervous system extending from the olfactory bulb to the spinal cord, intense to moderate immunostaining was found to be associated with: (i) ependymocytes bordering the entire ventricular system, and (ii) neuron-like structures located within the parenchyma. Double fluorescence studies confirmed that, throughout the parenchyma, sigma(1) receptor-immunostaining was essentially associated with neuronal structures immunostained for the neuronal marker betaIII-tubulin.

Partial deafferentation of the developing rat spinal cord delays the spontaneous repression of GAD67 mRNAs in spinal cells.

Early and ubiquitous detection of GABA in the rat spinal cord before the occurrence of synaptogenesis has led to the concept of a neurotrophic role of GABA, in addition to a promoting effect on neurite extension and neurodevelopment. The aim of this study was to further establish, in vivo, evidence for a link between the maturation of spinal cord innervation and the regulation of several isoforms of the synthetic enzymes of GABA, the glutamic acid decarboxylases GAD65, GAD67, and EP10, the embryonic truncated form of GAD67. Neonatal capsaicin treatment was used to induce a specific loss of afferent fibers (unmyelinated C fibers, thin myelinated fibers A delta) to the dorsal horn.

Comparative distribution of GAD65 and GAD67 mRNAs and proteins in the rat spinal cord supports a differential regulation of these two glutamate decarboxylases in vivo.

Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) synthesis can result from the action of at least two glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) isoforms, GAD65 and GAD67, possibly involved in distinct mechanisms. We have made the hypothesis that GAD65 may respond to short-term changes and is present in neurons with a phasic activity, while GAD67 may rather provide GABA for the metabolic pool and for supporting tonic levels of synaptic transmission (Erlander et al.: Neuron 7:91-100, 1991; Feldblum et al.

Probing conformational changes within LC2 domains of cardiac myosin.

Nine monoclonal antibodies were used to test calcium and EDTA effects on the molecular conformation of ventricular VLC2 within myosin. Antibody epitopes were located in six domains of VLC2 using recombinant proteins. The apparent association constants of these antibodies were measured in solution in the presence of calcium or EDTA.

Monoclonal antibodies targeted against the C-terminal domain of dystrophin or utrophin.

The structure-function relationships of dystrophin, a protein which is absent or defective in patients with Duchenne or Becker muscular dystrophies, and utrophin can only be compared if specific antibodies are produced. We expressed C-terminal parts of dystrophin and utrophin in expression vectors. Mice were immunized with recombinant proteins and 26 monoclonal antibodies were produced and analyzed.