Fig. 1
WT1 expression and DNA-binding activity are induced by synaptic plasticity and learning. a Protein–DNA binding assay comparing rat hippocampal CA1 extracts from control tissue versus extracts obtained from tissue where LTP was induced. WT1 is circled in red; numbers in parentheses indicate two different DNA probes with WT1 consensus sites. b EMSA showing increased in vitro WT1 binding to a DNA consensus sequence (arrow indicates the WT1/DNA complex) 10 and 30 min after induction of LTP in hippocampal CA1 region (Stim) compared with unstimulated control (C). The specificity of DNA–protein binding was verified by incubation with excess unlabeled cold probe (CP). c EMSA showing increased WT1 binding to DNA (arrow indicates the WT1/DNA complex) at different time points after CFC (S, shocked group; C, context only controls). The specificity of DNA-protein binding was verified by incubation with excess unlabeled cold probe (CP). d Bar graph of the top ten transcription factors predicted to regulate gene expression profiles in rat tissue obtained 90 min after a stimulation that produced LTP. e Expression of WT1 was significantly increased in rat CA1 region 30 min after LTP induction (paired t test: *p = 0.0495). f WT1 expression in the dorsal hippocampus of rats trained in CFC (Paired) compared with non shocked rats (Ctx only) (unpaired t test: *p = 0.0385). g Expression of WT1 was significantly increased in the dorsal hippocampus of rats trained in an IA task. Protein expression was measured 30 min after training and compared with naïve rats (unpaired t test: *p = 0.0187). Data are expressed as mean ± s.e.m
