EXPRESSION OF C-FOS PROTEIN IN SEROTONERGIC NEURONS OF RAT BRAIN-STEM FOLLOWING ELECTROACUPUNCTURE

The c-fos proto-oncogene encodes a nuclear phosphoprotein, Fos which has been proposed to be a ''third messenger'' coupling short term extracellular signals to long term alteration in cell function. Using double labeling immunocytochemistry, the present work demonstrated the co-localization of Fos protein and serotonin in the nucleus raphe dorsalis, nucleus raphe centralis superior and rostral ventromedial medulla. The results pose an interesting problem, the possible relation of Fos protein to the biosynthesis of serotonin, awaiting further investigation.