Spatial Distribution of Parvalbumin-Positive Fibers in the Mouse Brain and Their Alterations in Mouse Models of Temporal Lobe Epilepsy and Parkinson's Disease.

Parvalbumin interneurons belong to the major types of GABAergic interneurons. Although the distribution and pathological alterations of parvalbumin interneuron somata have been widely studied, the distribution and vulnerability of the neurites and fibers extending from parvalbumin interneurons have not been detailly interrogated. Through the Cre recombinase-reporter system, we visualized parvalbumin-positive fibers and thoroughly investigated their spatial distribution in the mouse brain. We found that parvalbumin fibers are widely distributed in the brain with specific morphological characteristics in different regions, among which the cortex and thalamus exhibited the most intense parvalbumin signals. In regions such as the striatum and optic tract, even long-range thick parvalbumin projections were detected. Furthermore, in mouse models of temporal lobe epilepsy and Parkinson's disease, parvalbumin fibers suffered both massive and subtle morphological alterations. Our study provides an overview of parvalbumin fibers in the brain and emphasizes the potential pathological implications of parvalbumin fiber alterations.

[Construction of the eukaryotic expression plasmid containing lvgA gene flanked with CpG motifs of Legionella pneumophila and its expression in NIH3T3 cells].

OBJECTIVE: To construct the eukaryotic expression plasmid containing lvgA gene flanked with CpG motifs of Legionella pneumophila for its expression in NIH3T3 cells. METHODS: lvgA gene flanked with CpG motifs of Legionella pneumophila was amplified by PCR. The PCR products was inserted into the eukaryotic expression plasmid pcDNA3.1/myc-his(+) to construct the recombinant plasmid pclvgA/CpG, which was subsequently transfected into NIH3T3 cells via lipofection. Immunofluorescence analysis was carried out to detect the transient expression of the plasmid in the cells. RESULTS: Sequence analysis showed that the recombinant plasmid pclvgA/CpG contained the lvgA/CpG fragment with a length of 657 bp, encoding a protein of 27.7 Ku. Immunofluorescence analysis identified the transient expression of the recombinant plasmid pclvgA/CpG in NIH3T3 cells. CONCLUSION: The lvgA gene flanked with CpG motifs of Legionella pneumophila has been constructed successfully, and the transient expression of the recombinant plasmid pclvgA/CpG can be detected in NIH3T3 cells.

[Determination of GATA-4 in the testis of the mouse].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the characteristics and distribution of GATA-4 in the testis of male mice. METHODS: Paraffin sections were obtained from the testes of 24 male B6SJLF1/J mice, aged 0 day (n = 6), 2 weeks (n = 6), 4 weeks (n = 6) and 6 weeks (n = 6), and the expressions of GATA-4 in the testis were observed by the immunohistochemical ABC method and DAB visualization at different times. RESULTS: Positive expressions of GATA4 were found in the Sertoli cells and Leydig cells of all the mice, but significantly higher in the 4- and 6-week-old than in the 0-day and 2-week-old groups (P < 0.01). And they were also observed in the germ cells of the 4- and 6-week-old mice, significantly higher in the latter than in the former (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: GATA-4 exists in the testis of male mice, which has provided a morphological base for sex determination and differentiation and hormone regulation in the testis.

[The GATA family in reproduction].

The GATA family proteins are a group of zinc finger transcription factors that are expressed in human and mammalian animals and play an important role in mammalian organ morphogenesis, cell proliferation and sex differentiation. GATA-4 and GATA-6 have been identified in the ovaries and testes of humans, mice, pigs and chickens. GATA-4 contributes to fetal male gonadal development by regulating the genes that mediate Müllerian duct regression and the onset of testosterone production. GATA-4 and GATA-6 are localized in and regulate the function of the ovarian and testicular somatic cells of fetal mice, especially granulosa cells, thecal cells, Sertoli cells and Leydig cells. GATA-4 is also present in the germ cells of fetal and prepubertal mice.