title: Enkephalin mRNA production by cochlear and vestibular efferent neurons in the gerbil brainstem.
abstract: Preproenkephalin mRNA production by efferent neurons projecting to the gerbil inner ear was assessed using combined in situ hybridization and retrograde labeling with fluorescent tracers. Virtually all vestibular efferent neurons were positive for preproenkephalin mRNA. Of the cochlear efferents, one-half of the medial olivocochlear neurons were positive for enkephalin. All lateral olivocochlear neurons were negative for enkephalin. The results suggest that there are two, biochemically distinct subpopulations of medial olivocochlear efferents in the gerbil.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, UCSD School of Medicine.
authors.forename: A F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Ryan
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Simmons
authors.forename: A G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Watts
authors.forename: L W
authors.initials: LW
authors.lastname: Swanson
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001933:Brain Stem / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D003056:Cochlear Nerve / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D004525:Efferent Pathways / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D004745:Enkephalins / Q000235:genetics*; D005849:Gerbillinae; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization; D011498:Protein Precursors / Q000235:genetics*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D014725:Vestibular Nerve / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D004745:Enkephalins; D011498:Protein Precursors; D012333:RNA, Messenger; C033660:preproenkephalin