Jill Roberts-Lewis

Aurintricarboxylic acid protects hippocampal neurons from NMDA- and ischemia-induced toxicity in vivo

Abstract: The polymeric dye aurintricarboxylic acid (ATA) has been shown to protect various cell types from apoptotic cell death, reportedly through inhibition of a calcium‐dependent endonuclease activity. Recent studies have indicated that there may be some commonalities among apoptosis, programmed cell death, and certain other forms of neuronal death. To begin to explore the possibility of common biochemical mechanisms underlying ischemia‐or excitotoxin‐induced neuronal death and apoptosis in vivo, gerbils or rats subjected to transient global ischemia or NMDA microinjection, respectively, received a simultaneous intracerebral infusion of ATA or vehicle. As a biochemical marker of neuronal death, spectrin proteolysis, which is mediated by activation of calpain I, was measured in hippocampus after 24 h. ATA treatment resulted in a profound reduction of both NMDA‐and ischemia‐induced spectrin proteolysis, consistent with the possibility of some common mechanism in apoptosis and other forms of neuronal death in vivo.

In situ Hybridization Histochemistry as a Tool for the Study of Brain Function

In situ hybridization histochemistry has become a powerful tool for the study of specific peptide or protein biosynthesis at the level of the single neuron. Although this technique has also frequently been used to confirm immunoreactive neurons as the actual site of biosynthesis (e.g. Gee et al., 1983), the greatest utility is apparent in studies of altered gene expression in development or pathology, or due to physiological or pharmacological manipulations (Gee and Roberts, 1983). The goal of this chapter is to provide the reader with essential background information for understanding the technology of in situ hybridization histochemistry and then describe some of its applications, to help the reader to appreciate the potential utility of this technology for the analysis of brain function and its disorders.

Enzyme Histochemical Detection of Specific Neuronal mRNAs in Brain

The study of gene expression has been greatly facilitated by many recent advances in the technology of in situ hybridization histochemistry. The purpose of this report is to familiarize investigators