alpha-synuclein is developmentally expressed in cultured rat brain oligodendrocytes

J Neurosci Res. 2000 Oct 1;62(1):9-14. doi: 10.1002/1097-4547(20001001)62:1<9::AID-JNR2>3.0.CO;2-U.

Abstract

Although a neuronal protein, alpha-synuclein is a major component of glial cytoplasmic inclusions (GCIs) in oligodendrocytes of multiple system atrophy (MSA) brains. Because alpha-synuclein has not been identified in oligodendrocytes of normal brains, we examined cultured rat brain oligodendrocytes during in vitro development and showed that alpha-synuclein mRNA and protein are present in cultured oligodendrocytes. The expression of alpha-synuclein was developmentally regulated; it increased to peak levels at 2 or 3 days in culture but declined thereafter. Indirect immunofluorescence further shows that alpha-synuclein was localized predominantly in cell bodies and primary processes of oligodendroglia. Thus, GCIs may be a consequence of altered rather than de novo expression of alpha-synuclein in MSA oligodendrocytes.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Brain / cytology
  • Brain / metabolism*
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / genetics*
  • Immunoblotting
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / biosynthesis*
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / genetics
  • Oligodendroglia / cytology
  • Oligodendroglia / metabolism*
  • RNA, Messenger / biosynthesis
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Synucleins
  • alpha-Synuclein

Substances

  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Snca protein, rat
  • Synucleins
  • alpha-Synuclein