Dimorphic Expression Of Medial Basal Hypothalamic-Preoptic Area Calbindin-D28k mRNA During Perinatal Development In Sprague-Dawley Rats

Authors

Emily Briton, Brigham Young University
Dr. Edwin D. Lephart, Brigham Young University

Keywords

dimorphic expression, Calbindin-D28K, CALB, Sprague-Dawley Rats

College

Life Sciences

Department

Neuroscience

Abstract

Calbindin-D28K (CALB), a calcium binding protein, is one of the most abundant proteins found in neurons of certain brain areas. It is potentially important in neuron formation and may play a protective role against programmed cell death [1]. CALB helps regulate the amount of calcium in neurons. An over-abundance of intracellular calcium leads to cell degeneration and eventually cell death. Brain sites that are exposed to toxic amounts of calcium experience less neurodegeneration where calcium-binding proteins are present than in areas where the protein is less abundant [4]. It is hypothesized that decreased levels of CALB lead to patterns of cell death seen in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Huntington’s, and Parkinson’s disease.

Recommended Citation

Briton, Emily and Lephart, Dr. Edwin D. (2014) "Dimorphic Expression Of Medial Basal Hypothalamic-Preoptic Area Calbindin-D28k mRNA During Perinatal Development In Sprague-Dawley Rats," Journal of Undergraduate Research: Vol. 2014: Iss. 1, Article 255.
Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/jur/vol2014/iss1/255