Expression of β1,4-GalT I in rat spinal cord and dorsal root ganglion after sciatic nerve injury

Objective: To observe the expressive changes of β1,4-GalT I mRNA in corresponding spinal cord and dorsal root ganglion after sciatic nerve injury. Methods: Real-time PCR was used to detect the expressive changes of β1,4-GalT I mRNA in corresponding spinal cord and dorsal root ganglion after sciatic nerve injury. The localization of β1,4-GalT I mRNA in corresponding spinal cord and dorsal root ganglion was explored by using in situ hybridization. Results: Real-time PCR re- vealed that, compared with the normal control group, the expressive levels varied after sciatic nerve injury. In situ hybridiza- tion showed that the expression of β1,4-GalT I in normal spinal cord was weak and mainly located in the grey matter of spinal cord, and the expression signals were enhanced in spinal cord after sciatic nerve injury and distributed in the grey and the white matter. β1,4-GalT I mainly located in neurons in dorsal root ganglion. Conclusion: β1,4-GalT I is present in nor- mal spinal cord and dorsal root ganglion, and it varies after sciatic nerve injury. These results indicate that β1,4-GalT I may play roles in peripheral nerve regeneration and degeneration after nerve injury.