Expression of neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor genes in the developing chick visual system.
Expression of the neuronal non-alpha nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (n alpha nAChR) gene is transiently stimulated in the chick optic tectum between embryonic days 7 and 16 with a peak value reached around embryonic day 12. This stimulation takes place at the time when optic nerve axons are invading this region of the brain and proceeds along a rostral to caudal gradient. Transcripts of the n alpha nAChR gene are localized in the superficial layers of the tectum at the time when cells in these layers are forming synapses with retina axons. The transient expression of n alpha nAChR gene does not take place in the optic tectum of 'eyeless' embryos. The results of our study suggest that the neuronal n alpha nAChR gene may play a role in neurogenesis of retino-tectal connections.
Département de Biochimie, Sciences II, Université de Genève, Switzerland.
J M
JM
Matter
L
L
Matter-Sadzinski
M
M
Ballivet
D000818:Animals; D015152:Blotting, Northern; D002642:Chick Embryo; D005123:Eye / Q000196:embryology; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D009154:Mutation; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization; D012313:RNA / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics*; D011978:Receptors, Nicotinic / Q000235:genetics*; D012016:Reference Values; D012160:Retina / Q000196:embryology* / Q000378:metabolism; D013477:Superior Colliculi / Q000196:embryology* / Q000378:metabolism; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011978:Receptors, Nicotinic; D012313:RNA