Expression of SOx-2, a member of the FAD-dependent sulfhydryl oxidase/quiescin Q6 gene family, in rat brain.

Sulfhydryl oxidases belonging to the FAD-dependent sulfhydryl oxidase/quiescin Q6 family were previously reported in rat peripheral organs but they were not detected in brain. In the present study, by using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and northern blot analysis, we clearly show an ubiquitous expression of the gene in brain; moreover, while only one transcript was present in peripheral organs, at least two transcripts were detected in brain, suggesting a tissue-specific splicing of its mRNA. The shorter one, likely corresponding to the mRNA identified from rat seminal vesicles, was highly expressed in diencephalon and telencephalon. The finding of gene expression in brain is relevant, since its dysregulation could lead to oxidative stress, a causative factor in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases.