This Core includes a RT-PCR and multi-gene assay capacity, along with a
state-of-the-art metabolic cage system.
Connexin
36 expression and protein levels over age. A. Ratio of Cx
36 mRNA vs each of three housekeeping genes, Enolase (dark
gray), Hprt (light gray) and Gapdh (black), which did not differ
from each other in developmental expression. Mean and SE of 3
mesopontine tegmenti of 7 day, 17 day and adult rats. Note the
gradual decrease in Cx 36 expression in development but with
significant levels present in adults. B. Cx 36 protein
levels in representative mesopontine tegmenti of 7 day, 17 day
and adult rats. Levels decreased gradually from 7 to 17 days to
adult, such that longer exposures (Connexin-36 hi-exp) were
required to visualize protein levels in adults. Blot was
reprobed for actin protein levels to verify equal loading.
C. Photomicrograph of 400 um sagittal slice through a 30 day
medial brainstem showing punched region (1 mm diameter) ventral
to the locus coeruleus (the punch was centered anterior to the
7th nerve but included the nerve as it descended) in the SubC
region. D. Cx 36 protein levels were normalized to Actin
in slices containing the SubC from rats from 4 litters aged 10
days and 30 days. Note the decrease in protein levels across
the developmental decrease in REM sleep. E. Cx 36
protein from these pooled samples from 10 day and 30 rats
normalized to Actin loading. Actin protein levels are shown to
verify equal loading.
Connexin
36 expression and protein levels over age. A. Ratio of Cx
36 mRNA vs each of three housekeeping genes, Enolase (dark
gray), Hprt (light gray) and Gapdh (black), which did not differ
from each other in developmental expression. Mean and SE of 3
mesopontine tegmenti of 7 day, 17 day and adult rats. Note the
gradual decrease in Cx 36 expression in development but with
significant levels present in adults. B. Cx 36 protein
levels in representative mesopontine tegmenti of 7 day, 17 day
and adult rats. Levels decreased gradually from 7 to 17 days to
adult, such that longer exposures (Connexin-36 hi-exp) were
required to visualize protein levels in adults. Blot was
reprobed for actin protein levels to verify equal loading.
C. Photomicrograph of 400 um sagittal slice through a 30 day
medial brainstem showing punched region (1 mm diameter) ventral
to the locus coeruleus (the punch was centered anterior to the
7th nerve but included the nerve as it descended) in the SubC
region. D. Cx 36 protein levels were normalized to Actin
in slices containing the SubC from rats from 4 litters aged 10
days and 30 days. Note the decrease in protein levels across
the developmental decrease in REM sleep. E. Cx 36
protein from these pooled samples from 10 day and 30 rats
normalized to Actin loading. Actin protein levels are shown to
verify equal loading.