Expression of teneurins and teneurins C-terminal associated peptides (TCAPs) in the central nervous system of non-human primates (Cebus apella)

Abstract

Teneurins (TENs) represent transmembrane type II proteins highly conserved among the species and mainly expressed in the central nervous system (CNS). This family is constituted by four homologues named as teneurins 1-4 in vertebrates. These proteins exert an important role in the neuronal interaction, besides a possible regulatory activity in gene transcription. Those proteins are important in neuronal interaction and possibly in genic transcription. Furthermore, the gene of TEN 1 and TEN 2 are located on chromosomes involved in mental abnormalities which enhances the contribution of this family of proteins in development and maintenance of the CNS. Previous studies determined that the terminal exon of each teneurin has a genomic sequence able to translate a peptide exhibiting high homology to corticotrophin-releasing factor (CRF). These peptides were named as c-terminal associated peptides (TCAPs 1-4), exerting significant modulatory activity in behavior disorders linked to stress. Studies focusing TENs and TCAPs have been of large interest, in view of the possible therapeutic applications of these peptides. However, basic information on these new peptidergic systems, such as their neuroanatomical distribution in the primate brain needs to be elucidated, in order to support their physiological findings and pharmacological use. In our previous study we analyzed de distribution of TEN 1 and TCAP-1 in monkey brain that demonstrated that the distribution of this peptidergic system is preserved in the non-human primate brain in areas directly or indirectly involved in stress and anxiety modulation. The results of immunoreactivity to TEN 1 showed difference with TCAP-1 in labeling pattern but not in neuroanatomical distribution. Consequently, the present study aims to evaluate the detailed distribution of others members of TENs and TCAPs in the non-human primate brain (Cebus apella) using immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization methods to TEN 2, 3 e 4 e TCAP-2, 3 e 4. (AU)