Expression of brain lipid binding protein in the brain of the adult canary and its implications for adult neurogenesis

Abstract

Brain lipid binding protein (BLBP), a member of the fatty acid binding protein family, is expressed at high levels in the mammalian central nervous system during development, but not in adulthood. Because the brain of adult birds continues to show significant levels of neurogenesis, we thought it likely that BLBP expression would also be present. We used a polyclonal antibody against BLBP to study the presence of this protein in the adult canary brain. This antibody stained 1) fibers and perikarya of radial cells in the telencephalon; 2) Bergmann glia in the cerebellum; 3) astrocytes; 4) tanicytes in the walls of the third ventricle; 5) the neuropil of certain forebrain and brainstem regions, including nuclei of the song system; and 6) some migrating cells in the telencephalon. This anatomical distribution suggests that BLBP plays a role in the neuronal migration and synaptic reorganization of adult avian brain.