Gender‐specific regulation of tyrosine hydroxylase in thymocyte differentiation antigen‐1 knockout mice

Abstract

THYmocyte differentiation antigen 1 (Thy-1), is a cell surface glycoprotein found on T cells and neurons and is involved in cell-to-cell interactions. In addition, Thy-1 knockouts (KO) are a potential mouse model of restless legs syndrome (RLS) based on clinical observations and the role of dopamine in the disease. In this study, we analyzed the activity and quantity of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH; the rate-limiting enzyme in dopamine production) and determined phosphorylation levels for the enzyme (phospho-serine-40 (pSer-40)). There was no significant difference in the total TH activity and pSer-40 TH levels between Thy-1 KO and control groups; however, TH specific activity was significantly lower (by 26%) in Thy-1 KO mice. This difference is, in part, due to increased TH protein levels in this group (increased by 29%). When analyzed by gender, we determined that Thy-1 KO female mice striata contained less TH specific activity compared to control females (decreased by 41%) and male control or Thy-1 KO animals (decreased by 30%). TH specific activity and pSer-40 TH levels between male Thy-1 KO and control displayed no differences. However, pSer-40 TH was significantly higher in control females (38%) compared to control or Thy-1 KO males. The Thy-1 KO females exhibited significantly lower (28%) pSer-40 TH (normalized to GAPDH or TH) than control females. Indeed, the Thy-1 KO females had 50% of the pSer-40 TH found in controls. Our results suggest a gender effect on TH specific activity, TH protein levels and serine-40 phosphorylation of TH in Thy-1 KO female mice.

Recycling of Waste Paraffin Wax by the Addition of SiO2 Nano-Powders to Improve Thermal Conductivity

“…SiO 2 nano-powder having a purity of 99.5%, density of 2.7 gm/cm 3 , the specific surface area of 170-200 m 2 /g and the PH value of 6.6 was used in this work [20]. This powder was characterized by atomic force microscopy which showed that the particles within the investigated specimens have sizes range (20-55) nm while the average particle size calculated from the size distribution measurement, was about 38 nm.…”

“…Ceramic nano-particles are potential candidates in the development of nanocomposites for many technological applications in mechanical, electric sciences, etc. [1][2][3][4][5][6]. Nano-powders have been used effectively to enhance thermal conductivity regarding the composite material [7].…”