Cullin-5 is ubiquitous in the rat brain

Cullin-5 (Cul-5), an E3 ubiquitin ligase that covalently binds ubiquitin to proteins targeted for degradation via the proteasome, was examined for its localization and distribution in the rat central nervous system (CNS). We showed cul-5 mRNA expression in rat neuronal, glial, and vascular endothelial cells by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and corroborated these data by Cul-5 immunostaining in neurons, astrocytes, blood vessels, and choroid plexus of the laboratory rat. Widespread and ubiquitous expression of Cul-5 in the brain suggests that it may have a vital role(s) in cellular activities of the CNS.