Distribution of calcium binding protein mRNAs in rat cerebellar cortex

The distribution of three calcium binding protein mRNAs in the rat cerebellar cortex was investigated using alkaline phosphatase labelled specific antisense oligodeoxynucleotide probes. Calbindin D28k mRNA was detected in the Purkinje cells, parvalbumin mRNA was located in the Purkinje cells and also in basket/stellate cells of the molecular layer. Calretinin in contrast was found only in the granule cell layer. Use of multiple alkaline phosphatase (AP)-labelled oligodeoxynucleotides resulted in an increase in signal strength and reduced detection time with no increase in background staining indicating the utility of these enzyme labelled probes for non-isotopic in situ.