Expression of c- <i>fos</i> Protein in Brain: Metabolic Mapping at the Cellular Level

TLDR

c‑fos is a proto‑oncogene expressed in neurons upon direct stimulation by growth factors and neurotransmitters. The study aimed to assess whether c‑fos and related proteins are induced by polysynaptic activation in rat hindlimb motor/sensory cortex. Fos immunohistochemistry was used as a cellular method to label polysynaptically activated neurons and map functional pathways. Three hours after stimulation, Fos staining appeared in motor and sensory thalamus, pontine nuclei, globus pallidus, and cerebellum, while 24‑hour water deprivation induced Fos in paraventricular and supraoptic nuclei.

Abstract

The proto-oncogene c- fos is expressed in neurons in response to direct stimulation by growth factors and neurotransmitters. In order to determine whether the c- fos protein (Fos) and Fos-related proteins can be induced in response to polysynaptic activation, rat hindlimb motor/sensory cortex was stimulated electrically and Fos expression examined immunohistochemically. Three hours after the onset of stimulation, focal nuclear Fos staining was seen in motor and sensory thalamus, pontine nuclei, globus pallidus, and cerebellum. Moreover, 24-hour water deprivation resulted in Fos expression in paraventricular and supraoptic nuclei. Fos immunohistochemistry therefore provides a cellular method to label polysynaptically activated neurons and thereby map functional pathways.