Multipotent stem cells from the mouse basal forebrain contribute GABAergic neurons and oligodendrocytes to the cerebral cortex during embryogenesis

During CNS development, cell migrations play an important role, adding to the cellular complexity of different regions. Earlier studies have shown a robust migration of cells from basal forebrain into the overlying dorsal forebrain during the embryonic period. These immigrant cells include GABAergic neurons that populate the cerebral cortex and hippocampus. In this study we have examined the fate of other basal forebrain cells that migrate into the dorsal forebrain, identifying basal cells using an antibody that recognizes both early (dlx1/2) and late (dlx 5/6) members of the dlx homeobox gene family. We found that a subpopulation of cortical and hippocampal oligodendrocytes are also ventral-derived. We traced the origin of these cells to basal multipotent stem cells capable of generating both GABAergic neurons and oligodendrocytes. A clonal analysis showed that basal forebrain stem cells produce significantly more GABAergic neurons than dorsal forebrain stem cells from the same embryonic age. Moreover, stem cell clones from basal forebrain are significantly more likely to contain both GABAergic neurons and oligodendrocytes than those from dorsal. This indicates that forebrain stem cells are regionally specified. Whereas dlx expression was not detected within basal stem cells growing in culture, these cells produced dlx-positive products that are capable of migration. These data indicate that the developing cerebral cortex incorporates both neuronal and glial products of basal forebrain and suggest that these immigrant cells arise from a common progenitor, a dlx-negative basal forebrain stem cell.

Metallothionein induction in neonatal rat primary astrocyte cultures protects against methylmercury cytotoxicity

Metallothionein (MT) protein and mRNA levels were monitored following exposure of rat neonatal primary astrocyte cultures to methylmercury (MeHg). MT-I and MT-II mRNAs were probed on northern blots with an [alpha-32P]dCTP-labeled synthetic cDNA probe specific for rat MT mRNA. MT-I and MT-II mRNAs were detected in untreated cells, suggesting constitutive MT expression in these cells. The probes hybridize to a single mRNA with a size appropriate for MT, approximately 550 and 350 bp for MT-I and MT-II, respectively. Expression of MT-I and MT-II mRNA in astrocyte monolayers exposed to 2 x 10(-6) M MeHg for 6 h was increased over MT-I and MT-II mRNA levels in controls. Western blot analysis revealed a time-dependent increase in MT protein synthesis through 96 h of exposure to MeHg. Consistent with the constitutive expression of MTs at both the mRNA level and the protein level, we have also demonstrated a time-dependent increase in MT immunoreactivity in astrocytes exposed to MeHg. The cytotoxic effects of MeHg were measured by the rate of astrocytic D-[3H]aspartate uptake. Preexposure of astrocytes to CdCl2, a potent inducer of MTs, completely reversed the inhibitory effect of MeHg on D-[3H]aspartate uptake that occurs in MeHg-treated astrocytes with constitutive MT levels. Associated with CdCl2 treatment was a time-dependent increase in astrocytic MT levels. In summary, astrocytes constitutively express MTs; treatment with MeHg increases astrocytic MT expression, and increased MT levels (by means of CdCl2 pretreatment) attenuate MeHg-induced toxicity.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Cadmium chloride (CdCl2)-induced metallothionein (MT) expression in neonatal rat primary astrocyte cultures

Metallothionein (MT) protein and mRNA levels were studied following exposure of rat neonatal primary astrocyte cultures to cadmium chloride (CdCl2). MT mRNA was probed on Northern blots with a 32P labeled synthetic cDNA probe specific for rat MT mRNA. The probe hybridizes to a single mRNA with a size appropriate for MT, approximately 550 bases. Expression of MT-I mRNA in astrocyte monolayers exposed to 2 x 10(-6) M CdCl2 for 6 h was increased approximately 5-fold (9.7 fg/micrograms total RNA) over MT-I mRNA levels in controls (2 fg/micrograms total RNA). MT-I mRNA could also be detected in untreated cells, suggesting constitutive MT expression in these cells. Western-blot analysis revealed a marked increase in MT protein levels upon exposure to CdCl2 (1 x 10(-6) M; 96 h). Consistent with the constitutive expression of MTs both at the mRNA level and protein level, we have also demonstrated a time-dependent increase in MT-immunoreactivity in astrocytes exposed to CdCl2. The present study suggests that astrocytes constitutively express MTs, and that MT-induction by CdCl2 may be an example of a generalized increase in MTs in response to heavy metal exposure, thus protecting astrocytes, and perhaps also indirectly, juxtaposed neurons from the neurotoxic effects of heavy metals.

Cloning and expression of the rabbit gastric CCK-A receptor

Cholecystokinin stimulates pancreatic zymogen secretion by binding with high affinity to a receptor on the pancreatic acinar cell. This receptor has been cloned and shown to be a CCK-A subtype. CCK also stimulates pepsinogen secretion from the gastric chief cell with high affinity. Using polymerase chain reaction with primers from the known sequence of the rat pancreatic CCK-A receptor cDNA, we prepared a 600 bp product from rat and rabbit stomach cDNA. From Southern analysis these represented a fragment of a gastric CCK-A receptor. PCR was then used to amplify a rabbit lambda ZAP II gastric epithelial cDNA library with the same primers, and the product was identified by sequencing as representing a CCK-A receptor fragment. When this PCR product was used to screen the library, ten positive clones were identified in a screening of 4.10(5) plaques, and several of these were sequenced. All had essentially the same sequence contained within 2 of these clones consisted of 427 amino acids and was 92% homologous (87% identity) to the known rat pancreatic CCK-A sequence but only 43% homologous to the gastric CCK-B sequence. The cDNA was subcloned into a pcDNA1 expression vector and transiently expressed in the human embryonic kidney cell line, HK 293. The responses of intracellular Ca2+ in these transfected cells to CCK and gastrin were monitored using video imaging. On the average 40% of the cells responded to CCK-8 by a transient elevation of [Ca2+]i followed by a steady state plateau. CCK was a high and gastrin a low affinity ligand for this signal, corresponding to the actions of these ligands on pepsinogen secretion from chief cells and somatostatin release from D cells. Hence from sequence and second messenger responses, the clone represents the CCK-A receptor presumably responsible for pepsinogen secretion by gastric chief cells and somatostatin release from gastric D cells.