Developmental study on the immunocytochemical localization of NOV protein-containing neurons in the rat brain

The localization and development of nephroblastoma overexpressed gene (nov) protein-immunoreactive neurons in the brain of E8-P300 rats have been studied using immunocytochemistry and image analysis. Results are as follows: No NOV protein-immunoreactive cells were detected in the rat brain during prenatal development. A few of positive cells were detected at the early postnatal stage. However, the number and the immunoreactivity of these cells increased gradually at later stages. NOV-immunoreactive cells were widely distributed in the rat brain during P30–P60. The number of immunoreactive cells and their intensity also peaked within this stage. The number and staining intensity of NOV-positive cells decreased gradually with age. The positive cells were mainly located in cingulate cortex, striatum, hippocampus, hypothalamus, cerebellum and brain stem. The present results indicate thatnov may play an important role in the development and differentiation of brain as well as maintaining the function of brain.