Induction of Glyceraldehyde-3-Phosphate Dehydrogenase (GAPDH) Expression in Rat Brain after Focal Ischemia/Reperfusion:

Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), a glycolytic enzyme, has been recently identified to be involved in the initiation of neuronal apoptosis. To investigate the serial changes and cellular localization of GAPDH expression, and its role in ischemia/reperfusion-induced neuronal apoptosis, the authors analyzed immunohistochemically brain areas of rats subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) and reperfusion. Nuclear overexpression of GAPDH was noted in the ischemic core area after 2 hours of MCAO without reperfusion. During the subsequent reperfusion, nuclear accumulation of GAPDH in this area decreased in a time-dependent manner. However, cytoplasmic and nuclear GAPDH immunoreactivity was detected in neurons of the penumbra area of the parietal cortex, in rats subjected to 2-hour MCAO followed by 3-hour reperfusion. The increase of nuclear GAPDH immunoreactivity was persistently noted up to 48 hours of reperfusion, whereas cytoplasmic immunoreactivity correlated inversely with the ...