Immunolocalization of Ephexin-1 in the Developing Canine Cerebellum

Hyun Sik Park,In Youb Chang,Han Yong Kim,Sang Pil Yoon

doi:10.4236/nm.2014.51002

Abstract

Ephexin-1 functions as guanine nucleotide exchange factors for the Rho-type GTPases which have important roles in neuronal development including axon guidance, migration, morphogenesis, and plasticity of neurons. As little is known about ephexin-1 in the cerebellum, we investigated the immunolocalization of ephexin-1 in the developing canine cerebellum. While the cellular maturation was followed by the temporal pattern, the calbindin D-28k and ephexin-1 immunoreactivities gradually increased in developing canine cerebellum. When compared to the calbindin D-28k immunoreactivities, belated ephexin-1 immunolocalization was observed in the Purkinje cells which aligned a single layer during cerebellar development. These results suggest that ephexin-1 might play an important role in the development of the Purkinje cells during the first two postnatal weeks based on its immunolocalization in the present study.

Highlights

Intracellular calcium-binding protein, calbindin D-28k (CB), has been used as a marker for the maturation of neurons
An undulating band of strongly CB immunoreactive Purkinje cells could be distinguished in the developing canine cerebellum, while other layers were devoid of CB immunopositivities (Figure 1)
While the cellular maturation was followed by the temporal pattern, CB and ephexin-1 immunoreactivities gradually increased in developing canine cerebellum

Summary

Introduction

Intracellular calcium-binding protein, calbindin D-28k (CB), has been used as a marker for the maturation of neurons. Information about the localization of CB in the cerebellum is available for rats and chicks [1], primates [2], and aged dogs [3]. CB appears early shortly after cessation of mitosis when neurons become ready. How to cite this paper: Park, H.S., Chang, I.Y., Kim, H.Y. and Yoon, S.P. (2014) Immunolocalization of Ephexin-1 in the Developing Canine Cerebellum. Previous data reported that the distribution and developmental patterns of calcium-binding proteins in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex of developing dogs were comparable to rodents and human [6] [7]. Anatomical and developmental studies of the canine brain are relatively scarce to date

Methods

Results

Conclusion