The transcriptome of rat hippocampal subfields

Purpose: In this study, we used LCM and RNA-Seq to characterize differences in the rat hippocampal expression profiles of CA1, CA2, CA3, and DG subfields Methods: Each subfield was bilaterally laser microdissected, collected from the rat's hippocampus (n=4), and submitted to Illuminas for massively parallel sequencing. Results: We found evident segregation of the transcriptomic profile from different regions of the hippocampus. Gene ontology enrichment analysis of CA1 subfield results in actin regulation genes and postsynaptic membrane AMPA receptors that are indispensable for long-term potentiation and learning and memory. CA2 and CA3 transcripts were found associated with the higher metabolic processes. DG expression was enriched for ribosome and spliceosome, both required for protein synthesis and maintenance of cell life. Conclusion: The present findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the differences in the molecular machinery expressed by the rat hippocampal neuronal populations, further exploring underlying mechanisms responsible for each subflied specific functions. Overall design: Hippocampal subfield mRNA profiles of Wistar Rat