Abnormal expression of tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactivity in Purkinje cells precedes the onset of ataxia in dilute-lethal mice.

Expression of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunostaining in the cerebellum was examined in dilute-lethal mice (DL) prior to and following the onset of ataxia. DL walked normally on postnatal days 7 and 8. Falling over when walking was exhibited by about 20% of DL on day 9 and by all DL by day 10. TH-positive Purkinje cells in lobules IX and X of the vermis of either ataxic or non-ataxic DL were clearly observed on day 9 when compared to control mice, and had drastically increased by day 10. These results revealed that abnormal TH expression occurred in some Purkinje cells of DL cerebella, preceding the onset of ataxia.