Age does not alter protein kinase C isozymes mRNA expression in rat brain

Calcium and phospholipid dependent Protein kinase C (PKC) may play a role in memory function and pathogenesis of many neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). Abnormal phosphorylation by PKC as well as reduced levels of PKC has been implicated in the neurodegeneration associated with AD and aging. Recently, many subtypes of PKC isozymes have been identified by molecular biology techniques which are expressed differentially in various regions of the brain. The reduction and alterations in the activities and distribution of these subtypes of PKC isozymes may be accountable for the decline of selective neurons during aging. In order to investigate the role of PKC isozymes during aging, we examined the distribution of PKC-alpha, beta, and gamma mRNA expressions between young (4 months) and old (25 months) rat brains using in situ hybridization histochemistry. Our studies showed that signals of three isoforms of PKC mRNA vary in cortical and hippocampal regions. However, no change was detected in any of the PKC isoforms mRNA expressions in aged animals.