The mineralocorticoid receptor expression in the mouse CNS is conserved during development

Using a specific polyclonal antiserum raised in rabbit against amino acids 1-23 of the mouse mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) we investigated the devel opmental profile of MR expression in the murine CNS by immunocytochemistry. MR protein appeared first at embryonic day E16.5 in the limbic system, i.e . in the hippocampus and induseum griseum. During development and in adulth ood, high levels of MR expression were observed in the limbic system, where as expression levels detectable in layers II, III, V of the neocortex and i n motoneurons of cranial nerves and spinal cord were lower. No MR staining was found in the hypothalamus. Developmental MR expression was restricted t o neuronal populations that also express MR protein in the adult CNS, indic ating that the MR may fulfill the same functions in neurons during developm ent and in adulthood. NeuroReport 12:1133-1137 (C) 2001 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.