CYTOCHROME-P450 1B1 MESSENGER-RNA IN THE HUMAN CENTRAL-NERVOUS-SYSTEM

Aims - To study the expression of CYP1B1 in a variety of human and rat cell lines as a means of identifying a new tool. for the investigatio n of gene regulation, In addition, to identify the expression of cytoc hrome P450 1B1 (CYP1B1) in different regions of the central nervous sy stem (CNS). Methods - Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction followed by cloning and sequencing were used to detect the expression of CYP1B1 in human cell lines. Poly A+ mRNA from the human spinal cord and from different brain regions was analysed using a CYP1B1 probe la belled with (PdCTP)-Pd-32. Results - Expression of CYP1B1 was shown in a human astrocytoma cell line (MOG-G-CCM). CYP1B1 mRNA was expressed in a variety of regions of the CNS but with a distinct regional specif icity. Expression was highest in the putamen. Conclusions - The expres sion of CYP1B1 in a human astrocytoma enables this cell line to be use d in further studies of regulation and function of this gene. The demo nstration that CYP1B1 mRNA is expressed in a variety of regions of the CNS suggests a role for this gene in brain and spinal cord metabolism , The regional specificity of expression might explain the focal damag e of certain human neurode-generative diseases.