Cellular neurochemical characterization and subcellular localization of phospholipase C β1 in rat brain

The present study describes a complete and detailed neuroanatomical distribution map of the phospholipase C beta1 (PLCβ1) isoform along the adult rat neuraxis, and defines the phenotype of cells expressing PLCβ1, along with its subcellular localization in cortical neurons as assessed by double-immunofluorescence staining and confocal laser scanning. Immunohistochemical labeling revealed a considerable morphological heterogeneity among PLCβ1-positive cells in the cortex, even though there was a marked predominance of pyramidal morphologies. As an exception to the general non-matching distribution of GFAP and PLCβ1, a high degree of co-expression was observed in radial glia-like processes of the spinal cord white matter. In the somatosensory cortex, the proportion of GABAergic neurons co-stained with PLCβ1 was similar (around 2/3) in layers I, II–III, IV and VI, and considerably lower in layer V (around 2/5). Double immunofluorescence against PLCβ1 and nuclear speckle markers SC-35 and NeuN/Fox3 in isolated nuclei from the rat cortex showed a high overlap of both markers with PLCβ1 within the nuclear matrix. In contrast, there was no apparent co-localization with markers of the nuclear envelope and lamina. Finally, to assess whether the subcellular expression pattern of PLCβ1 involved specifically one of the two splice variants of PLCβ1, we carried out Western blot experiments in cortical subcellular fractions. Notably, PLCβ1a/1b ratios were statistically higher in the cytoplasm than in the nuclear and plasma membrane fractions. These results provide a deeper knowledge of the cellular distribution of the PLCβ1 isoform in different cell subtypes of the rat brain, and of its presence in the neuronal nuclear compartment.

► We describe PLCβ1 protein distribution and subcellular localization in rat brain.
► PLCβ1 is not only expressed in pyramidal, but also in cortical GABAergic neurons.
► Evidence for the location of PLCβ1 in nuclear speckles is provided.
► Some insights into the potential physiological and behavioral roles of PLCβ1 are discussed.