Biomaterial Database

Biosynthesis of DNA and RNA in neuronal and glial cells from various regions of developing rat brain. 1976

A M Giuffrida, and A Hamberger, and I Serra

Slices of cerebral hemispheres, brain stem, and cerebellum from rats 5-30 days old were used for in vitro incorporation of [methyl-3H]thymidine and [6-14C]orotic acid into DNA and RNA, respectively. The rates of DNA and RNA synthesis decreased markedly during development, with the most marked decrease observed for DNA. The different brain regions showed specific patterns of decline of DNA and RNA synthesis. Following incubation of slices, the tissues were fractionated to obtain fractions enriched in neuronal cells and in glial cells. In cerebellum, the granule neurons were separated from the Purkinje neurons. The glial:neuronal ratio of DNA specific activity was different in the three regions examined: in cortex it decreased from 6 at 10 days to 3 at 20-30 days; in brain stem it was 3 throughout 10-30 days; in the cerebellum (glia:granule neuron ratio) it was also 3 at 30 days but only 0.3 at 10 days. Concerning the RNA incorporation, small differences were found between neuronal and glial cells.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D009457	Neuroglia	The non-neuronal cells of the nervous system. They not only provide physical support, but also respond to injury, regulate the ionic and chemical composition of the extracellular milieu, participate in the BLOOD-BRAIN BARRIER and BLOOD-RETINAL BARRIER, form the myelin insulation of nervous pathways, guide neuronal migration during development, and exchange metabolites with neurons. Neuroglia have high-affinity transmitter uptake systems, voltage-dependent and transmitter-gated ion channels, and can release transmitters, but their role in signaling (as in many other functions) is unclear.	Bergmann Glia,Bergmann Glia Cells,Bergmann Glial Cells,Glia,Glia Cells,Satellite Glia,Satellite Glia Cells,Satellite Glial Cells,Glial Cells,Neuroglial Cells,Bergmann Glia Cell,Bergmann Glial Cell,Cell, Bergmann Glia,Cell, Bergmann Glial,Cell, Glia,Cell, Glial,Cell, Neuroglial,Cell, Satellite Glia,Cell, Satellite Glial,Glia Cell,Glia Cell, Bergmann,Glia Cell, Satellite,Glia, Bergmann,Glia, Satellite,Glial Cell,Glial Cell, Bergmann,Glial Cell, Satellite,Glias,Neuroglial Cell,Neuroglias,Satellite Glia Cell,Satellite Glial Cell,Satellite Glias
D009474	Neurons	The basic cellular units of nervous tissue. Each neuron consists of a body, an axon, and dendrites. Their purpose is to receive, conduct, and transmit impulses in the NERVOUS SYSTEM.	Nerve Cells,Cell, Nerve,Cells, Nerve,Nerve Cell,Neuron
D011689	Purkinje Cells	The output neurons of the cerebellar cortex.	Purkinje Cell,Purkinje Neuron,Purkyne Cell,Cell, Purkinje,Cell, Purkyne,Cells, Purkinje,Cells, Purkyne,Neuron, Purkinje,Neurons, Purkinje,Purkinje Neurons,Purkyne Cells
D001921	Brain	The part of CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM that is contained within the skull (CRANIUM). Arising from the NEURAL TUBE, the embryonic brain is comprised of three major parts including PROSENCEPHALON (the forebrain); MESENCEPHALON (the midbrain); and RHOMBENCEPHALON (the hindbrain). The developed brain consists of CEREBRUM; CEREBELLUM; and other structures in the BRAIN STEM.	Encephalon
D001933	Brain Stem	The part of the brain that connects the CEREBRAL HEMISPHERES with the SPINAL CORD. It consists of the MESENCEPHALON; PONS; and MEDULLA OBLONGATA.	Brainstem,Truncus Cerebri,Brain Stems,Brainstems,Cerebri, Truncus,Cerebrus, Truncus,Truncus Cerebrus
D002531	Cerebellum	The part of brain that lies behind the BRAIN STEM in the posterior base of skull (CRANIAL FOSSA, POSTERIOR). It is also known as the "little brain" with convolutions similar to those of CEREBRAL CORTEX, inner white matter, and deep cerebellar nuclei. Its function is to coordinate voluntary movements, maintain balance, and learn motor skills.	Cerebella,Corpus Cerebelli,Parencephalon,Cerebellums,Parencephalons
D002540	Cerebral Cortex	The thin layer of GRAY MATTER on the surface of the CEREBRAL HEMISPHERES that develops from the TELENCEPHALON and folds into gyri and sulci. It reaches its highest development in humans and is responsible for intellectual faculties and higher mental functions.	Allocortex,Archipallium,Cortex Cerebri,Cortical Plate,Paleocortex,Periallocortex,Allocortices,Archipalliums,Cerebral Cortices,Cortex Cerebrus,Cortex, Cerebral,Cortical Plates,Paleocortices,Periallocortices,Plate, Cortical
D004247	DNA	A deoxyribonucleotide polymer that is the primary genetic material of all cells. Eukaryotic and prokaryotic organisms normally contain DNA in a double-stranded state, yet several important biological processes transiently involve single-stranded regions. DNA, which consists of a polysugar-phosphate backbone possessing projections of purines (adenine and guanine) and pyrimidines (thymine and cytosine), forms a double helix that is held together by hydrogen bonds between these purines and pyrimidines (adenine to thymine and guanine to cytosine).	DNA, Double-Stranded,Deoxyribonucleic Acid,ds-DNA,DNA, Double Stranded,Double-Stranded DNA,ds DNA
D000367	Age Factors	Age as a constituent element or influence contributing to the production of a result. It may be applicable to the cause or the effect of a circumstance. It is used with human or animal concepts but should be differentiated from AGING, a physiological process, and TIME FACTORS which refers only to the passage of time.	Age Reporting,Age Factor,Factor, Age,Factors, Age
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia