Aberrant expression of collapsin response mediator proteins‐1, ‐2 and ‐5 in the brain of intrauterine growth restricted rats

Abstract Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) has been associated with increased perinatal morbidity, higher incidence of neurodevelopmental defects and increased risk for adult metabolic syndrome manifestations. Altered protein expression profiles associated with IUGR may be informative on the pathological mechanisms of this condition and might reveal potential markers for postnatal complications. We hypothesized that nutrient manipulation of the pregnant rat might influence the expression of important neurodevelopmental proteins in the resultant IUGR offspring. Therefore, we aimed to determine in newborn rat brain tissue the expression of collapsin response mediator proteins (CRMPs)‐1, ‐2 and ‐5, commonly referred to as dihydropyrimidinase‐related proteins (DPYLs) – playing a role in axon guidance, invasive growth and cell migration – and compare it to the corresponding expression in control rats. Two‐dimensional electrophoresis and mass spectrometry, as well as Western blot analysis were employed in brain tissue from 24 IUGR newborn rats and 24 controls. With both methods, CRMP‐1, CRMP‐2 and CRMP‐5 were decreased in the brains of the IUGR group as compared to the control group at the time of delivery. In conclusion, IUGR rat offspring are born with a decreased expression of CRMPs, suggesting that these proteins may be implicated in fetal stress‐induced programming.