Regulator of G Protein Signaling 14 (RGS14) protein expression profile
in the adult mouse brain
Abstract
Regulator of G protein signaling 14 (RGS14) is a multifunctional
signaling protein that suppresses synaptic plasticity in the mouse
brain. Our previous studies showed that RGS14 is highly expressed in
postsynaptic dendrites and spines of pyramidal neurons in hippocampal
area CA2 of the developing mouse brain. However, our more recent work
with adult rhesus macaque brain shows that RGS14 is found in multiple
neuron populations throughout hippocampal areas CA1 and CA2, caudate
nucleus, putamen, globus pallidus, substantia nigra, and amygdala in the
adult rhesus monkey brain. In the mouse brain, we also have observed
RGS14 protein in discrete limbic regions linked to reward behavior and
addiction, including the central amygdala and nucleus accumbens, but a
comprehensive mapping of RGS14 protein expression in the adult mouse
brain is lacking. Here, we report that RGS14 is more broadly expressed
in mouse brain than previously known. Intense RGS14 staining is observed
in specific neuron populations of the hippocampal formation, amygdala,
septum, bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, and nucleus accumbens.
RGS14 is also observed in axon fiber tracts including the dorsal fornix,
fimbria, stria terminalis, and the ventrohippocampal commissure.
Moderate RGS14 staining is observed in various other adjacent regions
not previously reported. These findings show that RGS14 is expressed in
brain regions that govern aspects of core cognitive functions including
sensory perception, emotion, memory, motivation, and execution of
actions, and suggests that RGS14 may serve to suppress plasticity and
filter inputs in these brain regions to set the overall tone on
experience-to-action processes.