RGD Reference Report - Expression of neuronal kinesin heavy chain is developmentally regulated in the central nervous system of the rat. - Rat Genome Database

Send us a Message



Submit Data |  Help |  Video Tutorials |  News |  Publications |  Download |  REST API |  Citing RGD |  Contact   

Expression of neuronal kinesin heavy chain is developmentally regulated in the central nervous system of the rat.

Authors: Vignali, G  Lizier, C  Sprocati, M T  Sirtori, C  Battaglia, G  Navone, F 
Citation: Vignali G, etal., J Neurochem. 1997 Nov;69(5):1840-9.
RGD ID: 12792964
Pubmed: PMID:9349526   (View Abstract at PubMed)

The kinesin family of motor proteins comprises at least two isoforms of conventional kinesin encoded by different genes: ubiquitous kinesin, expressed in all cells and tissues, and neuronal kinesin, expressed exclusively in neuronal cells. In the present study, we have analyzed the expression of the two kinesin isoforms by immunochemistry at different stages of development of the rat CNS. We have found that the level of expression of neuronal kinesin is five to eight times higher in developing than in adult rat brains, whereas that of ubiquitous kinesin is only approximately 2.5 times higher in maturing versus adult brains. Moreover, we have studied the distribution of neuronal kinesin by light microscopic immunocytochemistry in the rat brain at different postnatal ages and have found this protein not only to be more highly expressed in juvenile than in adult rat brains but also to show a different pattern of distribution. In particular, tracts of axonal fibers were clearly stained at early postnatal stages of development but were markedly unlabeled in adult rat brains. Our results indicate that the expression of at least one isoform of conventional neuron-specific kinesin is up-regulated in the developing rat CNS and suggest that this protein might play an important role in microtubule-based transport during the maturation of neuronal cells in vivo.

Gene Ontology Annotations    Click to see Annotation Detail View

Biological Process
TermQualifierEvidenceWithReferenceNotesSourceOriginal Reference(s)
cerebral cortex development  IEP 12792964 RGD 
hippocampus development  IEP 12792964; 12792964 RGD 
neuron development  IEP 12792964 RGD 
thalamus development  IEP 12792964 RGD 

Cellular Component
TermQualifierEvidenceWithReferenceNotesSourceOriginal Reference(s)
apical dendrite  IDA 12792964 RGD 
perikaryon  IDA 12792964 RGD 

Objects Annotated

Genes (Rattus norvegicus)
Kif5a  (kinesin family member 5A)
Kif5b  (kinesin family member 5B)


Additional Information