Selective localization of G protein γ5 subunit in the subventricular zone of the lateral ventricle and rostral migratory stream of the adult rat brain

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Abstract
G proteins play important roles in transmembrane signal transduction, and various isoforms of each subunit, α, β and γ, are highly expressed in the brain. The Gγ5 subunit is a minor isoform in the adult brain, but we have previously shown it to be highly expressed in the proliferative region of the ventricular zone in the rat embryonic brain. We show here that Gγ5 is also selectively localized in a proliferative region in the adult rat brain, including the subventricular zone of the lateral ventricle and rostral migratory stream. The Gαi2 subunit colocalized with Gγ5 in these regions, the two subunits being present in neuronal precursors and ependymal cells but not in proliferating astrocytes. In addition, intense staining of Gγ5 was seen in axons of the olfactory neurons, which are known to regenerate. These results suggest specific roles for Gγ5 in precursor cells during neurogenesis so that this isoform might be a useful biological marker.