SELECTIVE LOCALIZATION OF MOUSE ALDEHYDE OXIDASE MESSENGER-RNA IN THECHOROID-PLEXUS AND MOTOR-NEURONS

ALDEHYDE oxidase (AO), a protein involved in the catabolism of catecho lamines, is the product of a gene potentially responsible for one of t he familial forms of the motor neuron disease, amyotrophic lateral scl erosis (ALS). Here, we report on the cloning of a partial cDNA coding for the mouse enzyme. Using this cDNA as a probe, we demonstrate that the AO transcript is expressed in the epithelial component of the chor oid plexus. More importantly, in the gray matter, the mRNA is selectiv ely localized in the large motor neurons of the nuclei of facial, moto r trigemini and hypoglossus nerves and in the motor neurons of the ant erior horns of the spinal cord. This localization is consistent with a possible role of AO in the pathogenesis of ALS.