title: Localization of nerve growth factor receptor messenger RNA and protein in the adult rat brain.
abstract: We have used in situ hybridization and immunocytochemistry to map the cellular localization of NGF receptor (NGF-R) mRNA and protein in the adult rat brain. In addition to basal forebrain magnocellular neurons, NGF-R is widely expressed within the CNS, including neurons of the caudate/putamen, ventral premamillary nucleus, mesencephalic trigeminal nucleus, prepositus hypoglossal nucleus, raphe nucleus, nucleus ambiguous, and Purkinje cells of the cerebellum. Cells of the vestibulocochlear ganglion also contain NGF-R mRNA and protein. Ventricular subependymal cells and tanycytes are clearly stained by immunocytochemistry, yet only very weak hybridization is detectable in these cells. Also, greater amounts of NGF-R protein than of mRNA appear to be present in the glomeruli of the olfactory bulb, area postrema, and nucleus tractus solitarius. Areas that contain only NGF-R immunoreactive fibers and terminals can be distinguished from the cellular sites of NGF-R biosynthesis and include the suprachiasmatic nucleus, the principal olivary pretectal nucleus, the superior colliculus, the inferior olive, and the principal and spinal trigeminal nuclei. This study shows that NGF-R is widely expressed within individual neurons in different areas of the rat brain and identifies new potential CNS target sites of endogenous NGF.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, University of Rochester Medical Center, New York 14642.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Koh
authors.forename: G A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Oyler
authors.forename: G A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Higgins
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors / Q000378:metabolism*; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000235:genetics*; D017475:Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor; D014018:Tissue Distribution
chemical_list: D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D017475:Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor