Coordinate regulation of Fos and Jun proteins in mouse brain by LiCl

Neuroreport. 1999 Nov 26;10(17):3685-9. doi: 10.1097/00001756-199911260-00041.

Abstract

Expression of the bZIP transcription factor c-Fos in the nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS) of the brain stem may allow for genomic encoding of an unconditioned stimulus (US) during taste aversion learning. Dimerization of c-Fos with other bZIP proteins of the Jun family is necessary to enable transcriptional efficacy at the AP-1 sequence of putative target gene promoter regions. The present study examined the regulation of Fos and Jun proteins by LiCl. Double immunofluorescence labelling revealed that LiCl causes a coordinate upregulation of c-Fos, FosB and JunB, and these proteins are colocalized in a majority of cells examined in NTS, parabrachial nucleus (PBN), and central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA). This study demonstrates that a coordinate signalling response occurs in relevant brain regions in response to LiCl.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Amygdala / drug effects
  • Amygdala / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Avoidance Learning / physiology
  • Brain Stem / drug effects*
  • Brain Stem / metabolism
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique
  • Lithium Chloride / pharmacology*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos / metabolism*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-jun / metabolism*
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects
  • Solitary Nucleus / drug effects
  • Solitary Nucleus / metabolism
  • Taste / physiology
  • Up-Regulation / drug effects

Substances

  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-jun
  • Lithium Chloride