Differential co-localization of neurokinin-3 receptor and NMDA/AMPA receptor subunits in neurons of the substantia nigra of C57/BL mice

• Published in: Brain research Vol. 1053; no. 1; pp. 207 - 212
• Main Authors: Wang, Yan-Qin, Hu, Hui-Jing, Cao, Rong, Chen, Liang-Wei
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Elsevier B.V 16.08.2005; Amsterdam Elsevier; New York, NY
• Subjects: AMPA receptor; Animals; Basal ganglia; Biological and medical sciences; Blotting, Western - methods; Cell Count - methods; Central nervous system; Central neurotransmission. Neuromudulation. Pathways and receptors; Co-localization; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Immunohistochemistry - methods; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Neurokinins; Neurons - metabolism; NMDA receptor; Protein Subunits - metabolism; Receptors, Glutamate - classification; Receptors, Glutamate - metabolism; Receptors, Neurokinin-3 - metabolism; Substantia Nigra - cytology; Vertebrates: nervous system and sense organs; Interactions between neurotransmitters; AMPA receptor; Basal ganglia; Neurokinins; Co-localization; NMDA receptor; Neurotransmitters, modulators, transporters and receptor; Rodentia; Central nervous system; Glutamate receptor; Basal ganglion; Coexistence; Subunit; Encephalon; Vertebrata; Mammalia; Locus niger; Neuron; Mouse; Animal; NK3 Tachykinin receptor; Localization
• ISSN: 0006-8993; 1872-6240
• DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2005.06.048

By using a double immunofluorescence method we examined co-localization of neurokinin-3 receptor (NK-3R) and N-methyl- d-aspartate (NMDA)/α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionate (AMPA) receptor subunits in neurons of the substantia nigra of adult mice. Overlapping distribution of NMDA receptor subunit 1 (NR1)/AMPA receptor subunits 1–4 (GluR1–4) and NK-3R-immunoreactive neurons were found in the substantia nigra pars compacta. It revealed that all (100%) of NK-3R-positive neurons displayed NR1, GluR2 or GluR3 immunoreactivity, 80% of them showed GluR1 immunoreactivity. In contrast, these neurons exhibiting both NK-3R and GluR4 immunoreactivity were hardly detected although GluR4-positive neurons were still distributed in the substantia nigra. The co-expression of NK-3R and NMDA/AMPA receptor subunits in the nigral neurons has provided a structural basis for functional modulation of neuronal glutamate receptors by neurokinin-3, suggesting that neurokinin peptides may be involved in modulation of neuronal properties and excitotoxicity in the substantia nigra of basal ganglia.