Elsevier

Brain Research

Volume 526, Issue 1, 27 August 1990, Pages 45-53
Brain Research

The distribution of mRNA encoded by a new member of the neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor gene family (α5) in the rat central nervous system

https://doi.org/10.1016/0006-8993(90)90248-AGet rights and content

Abstract

The cellular localization of transcripts for a new putative agonist-binding subunit of the neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR), α5, was examined using in situ hybridization in the rat central nervous system (CNS). α5 subunit mRNA was localized to a small number of regions when compared with two of the other known agonist-binding subunits, α3 and α4. α5 mRNA is expressed at relatively high levels in neurons of the subiculum (pyramidal layer), presubiculum and parasubiculum (layers IV and VI), which are components of the hippocampal formation, in the substantia nigra pars compacta and ventral tegmental area, in the interpeduncular nucleus, and in the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus nerve. Moderate hybridization signals were detected in neurons of the isocortex (layer VIb), anterior olfactory nucleus, trigeminal ganglion, superior olivary complex, nucleus of the solitary tract, and area postrema. No hybridization above background levels was seen in the amygdala, septum, thalamus, hypothalamus, or cerebellum. These results suggest that the α5 subunit differs from other known agonist-binding subunits in its distribution.

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      The discrepancy between females and males could be related to basal sex differences in the dopaminergic system. For instance, it has been shown that females and males differ in the number, morphology, function, and cholinergic modulation of VTA DA neurons (reviewed by Zachry et al., 2020), which express the α5 nAChR subunit (Azam et al., 2002; Wada et al., 1990). Previous work has shown sexually dimorphic behavioral and transcriptional effects of Chrna5 mutation in rodents (Correa et al., 2019; Gangitano et al., 2009).

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    *

    Present address: Laboratory of Neurochemistry, NINDS, NIH, Bldg. 36, Room 4D20, Bethesda, MD 20892, U.S.A.

    **

    Present address: Department of Pharmacology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, U.S.A.

    ***

    Present address: Baylor College of Medicine, Division of Nueroscience, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, U.S.A.

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