Identification and distribution of Parkin in rat brain

MUTATIONS within the amino acid sequence of Parkin, the encoded protein of the parkin gene, appear to trigger the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra. Here, the presence and anatomical distribution of Parkin within-the rat was examined. Immunoblot analysis of tissue homogena tes showed two major bands at 50 and 44 kDa. Within the brain, Parkin-conta ining neurons were identified in the basal ganglia, including the substanti a nigra and caudate-putamen. Parkin was visualized in the raphe nucleus, wh ich as in the substantia nigra, was closely localized to monoaminergic-enco ding neurons. In addition,Parkin was detected in laminar structures such as the cortex and hippocampus; a substantial number of Parkin-immunoreactive neurons was seen in the cerebellum as well, Parkin therefore is widely dist ributed in brain pathways implicated in the pathology of Parkinson's. disea se. NeuroReport port 10:3393-3397 (C) 1999 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.