Abstract
Normal cognitive aging is associated with deficits in memory processes dependent on the hippocampus, along with large-scale changes in the hippocampal expression of many genes. Histone acetylation can broadly influence gene expression and has been recently linked to learning and memory. We hypothesized that CREB-binding protein (CBP), a key histone acetyltransferase, may contribute to memory decline in normal aging. Here, we quantified CBP protein levels in the hippocampus of young, aged unimpaired, and aged impaired rats, classified on the basis of spatial memory capacity documented in the Morris water maze. First, CBP-immunofluorescence was quantified across the principal cell layers of the hippocampus using both low and high resolution laser scanning imaging approaches. Second, digital images of CBP immunostaining were analyzed by a multipurpose classifier algorithm with validated sensitivity across many types of input materials. Finally, CBP protein levels in the principal subfields of the hippocampus were quantified by quantitative Western blotting. CBP levels were equivalent as a function of age and cognitive status in all analyses. The sensitivity of the techniques used was substantial, sufficient to reveal differences across the principal cell fields of the hippocampus, and to correctly classify images from young and aged animals independent of CBP immunoreactivity. The results are discussed in the context of recent evidence suggesting that CBP decreases may be most relevant in conditions of aging that, unlike normal cognitive aging, involve significant neuron loss.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 832-844 |
| Number of pages | 13 |
| Journal | Neurobiology of Aging |
| Volume | 34 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Mar 2013 |
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Keywords
- Epigenetics
- Image analysis
- Memory
- Quantitative microscopy
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Clinical Neurology
- Neuroscience(all)
- Aging
- Developmental Biology
- Geriatrics and Gerontology
Cite this
CREB-binding protein levels in the rat hippocampus fail to predict chronological or cognitive aging. / Tomás Pereira, Inês; Coletta, Christopher E.; Perez, Evelyn V.; Kim, David H.; Gallagher, Michela; Goldberg, Ilya G.; Rapp, Peter R.
In: Neurobiology of Aging, Vol. 34, No. 3, 03.2013, p. 832-844.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - CREB-binding protein levels in the rat hippocampus fail to predict chronological or cognitive aging
AU - Tomás Pereira, Inês
AU - Coletta, Christopher E.
AU - Perez, Evelyn V.
AU - Kim, David H.
AU - Gallagher, Michela
AU - Goldberg, Ilya G.
AU - Rapp, Peter R.
PY - 2013/3
Y1 - 2013/3
N2 - Normal cognitive aging is associated with deficits in memory processes dependent on the hippocampus, along with large-scale changes in the hippocampal expression of many genes. Histone acetylation can broadly influence gene expression and has been recently linked to learning and memory. We hypothesized that CREB-binding protein (CBP), a key histone acetyltransferase, may contribute to memory decline in normal aging. Here, we quantified CBP protein levels in the hippocampus of young, aged unimpaired, and aged impaired rats, classified on the basis of spatial memory capacity documented in the Morris water maze. First, CBP-immunofluorescence was quantified across the principal cell layers of the hippocampus using both low and high resolution laser scanning imaging approaches. Second, digital images of CBP immunostaining were analyzed by a multipurpose classifier algorithm with validated sensitivity across many types of input materials. Finally, CBP protein levels in the principal subfields of the hippocampus were quantified by quantitative Western blotting. CBP levels were equivalent as a function of age and cognitive status in all analyses. The sensitivity of the techniques used was substantial, sufficient to reveal differences across the principal cell fields of the hippocampus, and to correctly classify images from young and aged animals independent of CBP immunoreactivity. The results are discussed in the context of recent evidence suggesting that CBP decreases may be most relevant in conditions of aging that, unlike normal cognitive aging, involve significant neuron loss.
AB - Normal cognitive aging is associated with deficits in memory processes dependent on the hippocampus, along with large-scale changes in the hippocampal expression of many genes. Histone acetylation can broadly influence gene expression and has been recently linked to learning and memory. We hypothesized that CREB-binding protein (CBP), a key histone acetyltransferase, may contribute to memory decline in normal aging. Here, we quantified CBP protein levels in the hippocampus of young, aged unimpaired, and aged impaired rats, classified on the basis of spatial memory capacity documented in the Morris water maze. First, CBP-immunofluorescence was quantified across the principal cell layers of the hippocampus using both low and high resolution laser scanning imaging approaches. Second, digital images of CBP immunostaining were analyzed by a multipurpose classifier algorithm with validated sensitivity across many types of input materials. Finally, CBP protein levels in the principal subfields of the hippocampus were quantified by quantitative Western blotting. CBP levels were equivalent as a function of age and cognitive status in all analyses. The sensitivity of the techniques used was substantial, sufficient to reveal differences across the principal cell fields of the hippocampus, and to correctly classify images from young and aged animals independent of CBP immunoreactivity. The results are discussed in the context of recent evidence suggesting that CBP decreases may be most relevant in conditions of aging that, unlike normal cognitive aging, involve significant neuron loss.
KW - Epigenetics
KW - Image analysis
KW - Memory
KW - Quantitative microscopy
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84870528909&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84870528909&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2012.07.010
DO - 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2012.07.010
M3 - Article
VL - 34
SP - 832
EP - 844
JO - Neurobiology of Aging
JF - Neurobiology of Aging
SN - 0197-4580
IS - 3
ER -