Distribution of Prosaposin mRNA in the Central Nervous System of the Pigeon (Columba livia)

Abstract

Bioassay and immunohistochemical studies have detected the presence of prosaposin in the central nervous system (CNS) of mammals. Here, first time, we have determined the partial cDNA sequence of pigeon prosaposin and mapped the distribution of its mRNA in the pigeon CNS. The predicted amino acid sequence of pigeon prosaposin showed 93 and 60% identity to chicken and human prosaposin, respectively. In situ hybridization, autoradiograms showed that the prosaposin mRNA expression was found in the olfactory bulb, prepiriform cortex, Wulst, mesopallium, nidopallium, hippocampal formation, thalamus, tuberis nucleus, pre-tectal nucleus, nucleus mesencephalicus lateralis, pars dorsalis, nucleus isthmi, pars parvocellularis and magnocellularis, Edinger-Westphal nucleus, optic tectum, cerebellar cortex and nuclei, vestibular nuclei and gray matter of the spinal cord. These results suggest that the cDNA sequence of pigeon prosaposin is comparable to other vertebrates, and the general distribution pattern of prosaposin mRNA resembles those are found in mammals.

The protective role of prosaposin and its receptors in the nervous system

“…Prosaposin is expressed at high levels in cerebellar regions across diverse species including rat, mouse, and pigeon (Islam et al, 2013; Kondoh et al, 1993; Sun et al, 1994). Furthermore, mice that are hypomorphic for prosaposin exhibit Purkinje cell loss and cerebellar deficits prior to birth (Sun et al, 2008a).…”