Neural recognition molecule NB-2 of the contactin/F3 subgroup in rat: Specificity in neurite outgrowth-promoting activity and restricted expression in the brain regions

• Published in: Journal of neuroscience research 2001-07, Vol.65 (2), p.100-110
• Main Authors: Ogawa, Junko, Lee, Suni, Itoh, Kouichi, Nagata, Saburo, Machida, Takeo, Takeda, Yasuo, Watanabe, Kazutada
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aging - physiology; Animals; auditory pathway; Brain - cytology; Brain - embryology; Brain - growth & development; Cell Adhesion Molecules, Neuronal - genetics; Cell Adhesion Molecules, Neuronal - metabolism; Cell Adhesion Molecules, Neuronal - pharmacology; Cell Communication - physiology; Cell Differentiation - drug effects; Cell Differentiation - physiology; Cell Membrane - drug effects; Cell Membrane - metabolism; Cells, Cultured - cytology; Cells, Cultured - drug effects; Cells, Cultured - metabolism; contactin; contactin subgroup; Contactins; development; Epitopes - metabolism; Fetus; Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental - drug effects; Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental - physiology; Immunohistochemistry; NB-2 protein; neurite outgrowth; Neurites - drug effects; Neurites - metabolism; Neurites - ultrastructure; Phosphatidylinositol Diacylglycerol-Lyase; Rats; Rats, Wistar; RNA, Messenger - metabolism; Type C Phospholipases - pharmacology
• ISSN: 0360-4012; 1097-4547
• DOI: 10.1002/jnr.1133

NB‐2, a neural cell recognition molecule of the contactin/F3 subgroup, promoted neurite outgrowth of the cerebral cortical neurons but not the hippocampal neurons. NB‐2 in rat became apparent after birth at protein level, reaching a maximum at postnatal day 14 in the cerebrum and postnatal day 3 in the cerebellum. NB‐2 in the cerebellum declined abruptly thereafter. In situ hybridization demonstrated that NB‐2 mRNA was highly expressed in regions implicated in the central auditory pathway, including the cochlear nuclei, superior olive, inferior colliculi, medial geniculate nuclei, and auditory cortex. In addition, a high level of NB‐2 expression was observed in the accessory olfactory bulb, thalamic nuclei, facial nucleus, and inferior olive. By immunohistochemistry, intense immunoreactivity against NB‐2 was also detected in the auditory pathway. Thus, NB‐2 is expressed in highly restricted brain regions, including the auditory system, suggesting that it plays specific roles in the development and/or maturation of the regions. J. Neurosci. Res. 65:100–110, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.