Constitutive expression of c-myb mRNA in the adult rat brain

In this study, we demonstrated the c-myb mRNA expression in the adult rat b rain using an in situ hybridization technique. We found c-myb mRNA signals in the various regions of the forebrain and midbrain including the cerebral cortex, thalamus, hippocampus, hypothalamus, superior and inferior collicu li and central gray. In the cerebellum, a diffuse signal was found in the g ranular layer while some positive cells were detected in the molecular laye r as well. In addition, a number of cells showed intense signals in many nu clei of the medulla oblongata. The constitutive expression of c-myb mRNA in the different kinds of neural cells suggests that this gene might be invol ved in the normal function of these neurons. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.