Prominent expression of type 1 (gamma) protein kinase C in Purkinje cells located in the "central mass" of Reeler mutant mouse cerebellum as revealed by a computer image analysis technique.

In Reeler mutant mice, cerebellar Purkinje cells exhibit abnormal synaptogenesis. In this study, Purkinje cells in the "central mass" with abnormal afferent connections were compared with those located in their normal position in the cortex in terms of immunoreactivity for type 1 (gamma) protein kinase C. A "computer image analysis technique" was developed for the purpose of this quantitative study, and it revealed that the immunoreactivity in the central mass was significantly higher than that in the cortex. The results suggest that type 1 (gamma) protein kinase C may be related to the abnormal synaptic formation of the Purkinje cells.