Expression and Nuclear Localization of p65 in Brain and Retina of Streptozotocin-induced Diabetic Rats with Hyperglycemia

Abstract

De novo protein synthesis in eukaryotes is mainly controlled at the level of gene transcription by transcription factors in the nucleus. In this communication, the expression and nuclear localization of the Rel/NF-κB family member p65 in nuclear and cytosolic fractions of the brain and retina from streptozotocin (STZ) -injected diabetic rats were determined in order to evaluate the possibility that the transportation of Rel/NF-κB family members from the cytoplasm to the nucleus could play a role in diabetes. Immunoblotting assays with a specific antibody revealed a much higher expression of immunoreactive p65 in nuclear fractions than in cytosolic fractions of the cerebral cortex, hippocampus, midbrain and cerebellum after diabetes induction by STZ administration. In contrast, STZ administration suppressed the p65 nuclear localization detected in the striatum, hypothalamus, medulla-pons and retina. These results suggest that STZ-inlected diabetic rats show differential alterations in the nuclear localization of p65 protein in the brain and retina.