Expression Analyses of Mediator Complex Subunit 13-Like: A Responsible Gene for Neurodevelopmental Disorders during Mouse Brain Development

Abstract

MED13L (mediator complex subunit 13-like) is a component of the mediator complex, which functions as a regulator for gene transcription. Since gene abnormalities in MED13L are responsible for neurodevelopmental disorders, MED13L is presumed to play an essential role in brain development. In this study, we prepared a specific antibody against MED13L, anti-MED13L, and analyzed its expression profile in mouse tissues with focusing on the central nervous system. In Western blotting, MED13L exhibited a tissue-dependent expression profile in the adult mouse and was expressed in a developmental stage-dependent manner in brain. In immunofluorescence analyses, MED13L was at least partially colocalized with pre- and post-synaptic markers, synaptophysin, and PSD95, in primary cultured hippocampal neurons. Immunohistochemical analyses revealed that MED13L was relatively highly expressed in ventricular zone surface of cerebral cortex, and was also located both in the cytoplasm and nucleus of neurons in the cortical plate at embryonic day 14. Then, MED13L showed diffuse cytoplasmic distribution throughout the cerebral cortex at the postnatal day (P) 30. In addition, MED13L appeared to be localized in cell type- and developmental stage-specific manners in the hippocampus and cerebellum. These results suggest that MED13L is involved in the development of the central nervous system and synaptic function.