Development-dependent expression of calreticulin in the brain and other tissues of the Japanese monkey, Macaca fuscata

Abstract

Backfround: Calreticulin (Crt) is a molecular chaperone localized to endoplasmic reticulum lumen. The protein is involved in the correct folding of glycoproteins and its cellular level changes depending on various physiologic conditions. Methods: To clarify the Crt level in various tissues of the Japanese monkey during postnatal development, an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay system that we have established was applied. Results and Conclusions: Calreticulin is distributed ubiquitously in various tissues. Its level in the heart, lung, liver, spleen, and kidney was high in newborns and decreased in juveniles and adults. In various cerebral areas, Crt was present in the gray matter but scarcely found in the white matter. The Crt levels in the cerebral areas were low in newborns and increase in juveniles and adults. These distribution and developmental changes in Crt might be correlated with the quality control of glycoproteins that are synthesized in respective tissues. © 2008 The Authors Journal compilation © 2008 Blackwell Munksgaard.