[Expression and localization of immediate early genes and preproenkephalin gene in central nervous system following electroacupuncture stimulation].

Using the techniques of immunohistochemistry, Northern blotting and in situ hybridization, we have found that electroacupuncture (2/15Hz) accelerated the expression of mRNA and protein synthesis of immediate early genes c-fos, c-jun as well as proenkephalin gene in rat central nervous system (CNS). Northern hybridization revealed that EA stimulation induced c-fos gene expression within 1-2 h, followed by PENK gene expression which peaked at 48h. Morphological study demonstrated that the sites of c-fos, c-jun and PENK mRNA expression and protein synthesis coincide with each other in the CNS. The results suggest that Fos/Jun may function as the transcription regulator of PENK gene.