PROSTAGLANDIN-D-SYNTHASE (BETA-TRACE PROTEIN) LEVELS IN RAT CEREBROSPINAL-FLUID

THE precise role of prostaglandin-D-synthase (beta-trace protein), the major constituent of cerebrospinal fluid, is unclear. In the present study, a sensitive and highly specific fluoroimmunoassay was developed . The measurement of the enzyme levels in rat CSF revealed a developme ntal change in the CSF levels with the highest value of 66 +/- 8 mu g/ ml at 7 days after birth. No significant difference in the levels was seen between different times of day. Subcutaneous injections of all-tr ans retinoic acid caused a dramatic decrease in the protein levels in a dose-and time-dependent manner. These findings may raise the possibi lity that prostaglandin-D-synthase in CSF is involved in retinoic acid action on the brain. (C) 1998 Rapid Science Ltd.