High expression of retinoic acid receptors and synthetic enzymes in the human hippocampus

• DOI: 10.1007/s00429-011-0359-0
• Publication Date: 2011-11-10T10:50:49Z
• Authors: Yara Dadalti Fragoso; Kirsty D. Shearer; Angelo Sementilli; Leda Viegas de Ca...; Peter J. McCaffery
• Keywords: Male; Neurons; 0301 basic medicine; Histology; Receptors, Retinoic Acid; Neuroscience(all); Retinal Dehydrogenase; Aldehyde Dehydrogenase; Middle Aged; Aldehyde Oxidoreductases; Hippocampus; Aldehyde Dehydrogenase 1 Family; Isoenzymes; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Mice; 03 medical and health sciences; Dentate Gyrus; Models, Animal; Animals; Humans; Original Article; Autopsy; Anatomy

Retinoic acid, the active form of nutrient vitamin A, regulates several facets neuronal plasticity in hippocampus, including neurogenesis and synaptic strength, acting via specific retinoic acid receptors (RARs). Essential for conversion A to is enzyme retinaldehyde dehydrogenase (RALDH) rodent hippocampus this only present adjacent meninges where it must act as a locally released paracrine hormone. Little known though about expression RALDHs RARs human hippocampus. This study confirms that RALDH levels are very low mouse neurons but, surprisingly, strong protein detected by immunohistochemistry hippocampal neurons. The RARα, β γ were also detected, each receptor exhibiting differing subcellular locations implying their potential regulation both transcription non-genomic actions. These results imply an essential function likely include plasticity.