Basic fibroblast growth factor in rat brain: localization to glial gap junctions correlates with connexin43 distribution

Light and electron microscope procedures and antibodies against basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) were used to study the immunohistochemical localization of bFGF in rat brain. Throughout all areas of the brain analyzed by LM including grey matter, white matter, ependyma, and leptomeninges bFGF-i...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inBrain research Vol. 554; no. 1-2; p. 336
Main Authors Yamamoto, T, Kardami, E, Nagy, J I
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Netherlands 19.07.1991
Subjects
Animals
Brain - cytology
Brain - ultrastructure
Cerebellum - cytology
Cerebellum - ultrastructure
Connexins
Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 - analysis
Immunohistochemistry
Intercellular Junctions - ultrastructure
Male
Membrane Proteins - analysis
Microscopy, Immunoelectron
Neuroglia - cytology
Neuroglia - ultrastructure
Organ Specificity
Rats
Rats, Inbred Strains
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Summary:Light and electron microscope procedures and antibodies against basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) were used to study the immunohistochemical localization of bFGF in rat brain. Throughout all areas of the brain analyzed by LM including grey matter, white matter, ependyma, and leptomeninges bFGF-immunoreactivity consisted of punctate immunolabelling that had an appearance and heterogenous distribution nearly identical to that displayed by the gap junction protein connexin43. By immuno-EM, bFGF was localized to gap junctions between astrocytes. It appears that there is a physical association of bFGF with gap junctions composed of connexin43 and it is suggested that bFGF may exert a regulatory influence on intercellular communication at such junctions.
ISSN:0006-8993
DOI:10.1016/0006-8993(91)90213-F