DIFFERENTIAL EXPRESSION OF THE SOLUBLE 170 KDA BRAIN PROTEIN IN THE FETAL AND ADULT HUMAN BRAIN

The expression of the soluble 170 kDa brain protein (BP170) was studie d in the developing human brain. Using immunohistochemical methods, it was possible to demonstrate that BP170 was expressed very strongly in the visual cortex up to approximately 27 weeks of gestation. After th is time, the level of expression was reduced so that by adulthood the levels of BP170 were negligible. Similarly, BP170 was expressed in the hippocampus at all stages of development; however, unlike in the visu al cortex, this protein was still apparent, albeit at low levels, in t he adult. In addition, BP170 was co-expressed with tyrosine hydroxylas e which suggests its possible role in the dopamine pathway. Copyright (C) 1996 ISDN.