Expression of CCDC85C, a causative protein for hydrocephalus, and intermediate filament proteins during lateral ventricle development in rats

Coiled-coil domain containing 85c (Ccdc85c) is a causative gene for genetic hydrocephalus and subcortical heterotopia with frequent brain hemorrhage. In the present study, we examined the expression pattern of CCDC85C protein and intermediate filament proteins, such as nestin, vimentin, GFAP, and cytokeratin AE1/AE3, during lateral ventricle development in rats. CCDC85C was expressed in the neuroepithelial cells of the dorsal lateral ventricle wall, diminishing with development and almost disappearing at postnatal day 20. By immunoelectron microscopy, CCDC85C was localized in the cell-cell junction and apical membrane. The expression of nestin and vimentin was decreased in the wall of the lateral ventricle in manner similar to CCDC85C, but GFAP expression started immediately after birth and became stronger with age. Moreover, cytokeratin expression was found at postnatal day 13 and increased at postnatal day 20 in conjunction with the disappearance of CCDC85C expression. Taken together, CCDC85C is expressed in the cell-cell junctions lining the wall of the lateral ventricle and plays a role in neural development with other intermediate filaments in the embryonic and postnatal periods. Our chronological study will help to relate CCDC85C protein with intermediate filaments to elucidate the detailed role of CCDC85C protein during neurogenesis.