DIFFERENTIAL DISTRIBUTION OF THE MESSENGER-RNA ENCODING 2 ISOFORMS OF THE CATALYTIC SUBUNIT OF CALCINEURIN IN THE RAT-BRAIN

The distribution of mRNAs encoding two distinct isoforms of the catalytic subunit of calmodulin-dependent protein phosphatase (calcineurin A), designated calcineurin Aα and Aβ, in the rat brain was examined by using Northern blots and in situ hydridization histochemistry. The mRNAs for calcineurin Aα and Aβ were both unevenly present in the brain and showed different distribution. The differential distribution between calcineurin Aα and Aβ messages suggests that the individual isoforms are involved in specialized neural functions. © 1991.