Region-specific changes in expression and activity of calpains in the CNS of native rats.

Introduction and Aim: It has been proposed that µ-calpain is responsible for neuronal survival, while m-calpain – the degeneration. can be assumed "susceptibility" to damage factor neurons in different CNS regions depends on content/activity of calpain isoforms. We analyzed mRNA levels activity µ-and structures rats. Materials Methods: After decapitation intact male Wistar rats prefrontal cortex, striatum, hippocampus, midbrain, brainstem, cerebellum, spinal cord were removed. Each structure was divided into two parts: casein zymography performed determine real-time RT–PCR - level expression m-calpains. Results: have shown predominates midbrain enrichment noticed hippocampus cerebellum. The highest cervical cord, lowest striatum. relatively high cerebellum it moderate. Conclusion: selective death observed during neurodegeneration partially determined by initial calpains and/or activity.