Changes in the expression of BNIP-3 and other neuronal factors during the cultivation period of primary cultured rat cerebral cortical neurons and an assessment of each factor's functions

Abstract

The degree of RNA editing of the 5-HT2C receptor dramatically changes during the cultivation period of primary cortical neurons. In this report, the changes in the mRNA expression levels of some factors that are essential to neuronal functions were determined using semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) methods. The results suggested that neurite re-extension occurred until 9 or 12 days after starting the culture. This re-extension was followed by the reconstitution phase of the synapse. Based on this observation, the mRNA expression changes of BNIP-3, which is reportedly involved in depression and/or the actions of antidepressants in addition to be involved in mitochondrial cell death, were examined to determine its physiological functions beyond the previously reported mitochondrial cell death process. The results suggested that BNIP-3 also has basic cellular functions because its mRNA expression was detected during the early stages of the culture, was not inducible, and maintained a constant expression level during the culture period. The neuronal primary cell culture system may mimic the reconstruction process of a neuron recovering from damage. This system may be useful in estimating the physiological roles of the intrinsic factors and determining the pharmacological effects of drugs.

MRI detection of the activated region in the rat brain by Hochuekki-to, a traditional oriental medicine, and the related expression of BNIP-3 mRNA, a candidate of depression-related factor

“…BNIP-3 is thought to have the function of mitochondrial cell death [10]. I have been reported, however, about the possibilities of other cellular functions, neurite extension and synaptogenesis [9]. Isolated primary cultured neuronal cell may reconstruct the neuronal function during the cultivation period with morphological changing and various mRNA expressions [5,9].…”

“…I have been reported, however, about the possibilities of other cellular functions, neurite extension and synaptogenesis [9]. Isolated primary cultured neuronal cell may reconstruct the neuronal function during the cultivation period with morphological changing and various mRNA expressions [5,9]. BNIP-3 may have a role for this reconstruction by expecting from the results of mRNA expression pattern.…”

“…BNIP-3 may have a role for this reconstruction by expecting from the results of mRNA expression pattern. Since BNIP-3 mRNA has variant [9], the roles respective mRNAs will be also interested. In this report, abundant BNIP-3 mRNA expression was seen in the hippocampus and the brain stem where the neuronal activities are high in particular.…”

“…It has been also reported that HET-or typical antidepressants-treatment strongly enhanced BNIP-3 mRNA expression in cloned neuronal cells by experiments starting from the results of DNA array [8]. Furthermore, mRNA expression of various neuronal factors as well as BNIP-3 dynamically changes during the cultivation time in rat primary cultured neuronal cells, suggesting that these reflect the making of the neuronal function and the network [9].…”

Serotonin 2C Receptor as a Superhero: Diversities and Talents in the RNA Universe for Editing, Variant, Small RNA and Other Expected Functional RNAs

“…Although the existence of the short variant has long been known, its physiological significance remained unidentified. Only a few reports mentioned the expression difference by neuronal differentiation in cloned neuronal cells (37) and the expression changes during the cultivation period in primary cultured neuronal cells (38). Recently, this short variant protein was shown to combine with the full-length 5-HT2C protein to form a hetero-dimer (27).…”