title: [Radioautographic localization of neuropeptide receptors in the central nervous system].
abstract: The first step of any physiological effect of a neuropeptide (NP) is its recognition by specific receptor sites. The very organization of the central nervous system (CNS) does not permit a precise localization of these binding sites by conventional binding assays. The aim of the present paper is to describe in detail a recently developed in vitro methodology for the localization, visualization and quantitation of specific binding sites for various NP such as TRH, neurotensin and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) in the rat CNS. The combination of this autoradiographic technique with radioimmunological measurements of NP, reveals that the endogenous distribution of THR, for example, in various brain regions, is not correlated with the presence of its binding sites. In vitro autoradiography may also be used to study the neurotransmitter/neuromodulatory role of NP in the CNS. This point will be illustrated by the effect of VIP on serotonin binding sites in both rat suprachiasmatic nucleus and hippocampal formation. Besides, the importance of the endocrine environment of the target tissue for NP action will also be discussed.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001345:Autoradiography; D001665:Binding Sites; D001923:Brain Chemistry; D051381:Rats; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000032:analysis; D018028:Receptors, Neurotensin; D017981:Receptors, Neurotransmitter / Q000032:analysis*; D018025:Receptors, Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone; D018005:Receptors, Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide; D012701:Serotonin / Q000378:metabolism; D014660:Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D018028:Receptors, Neurotensin; D017981:Receptors, Neurotransmitter; D018025:Receptors, Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone; D018005:Receptors, Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide; D012701:Serotonin; D014660:Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide
vernacular_title: Localisation par radioautographie des récepteurs des neuropeptides dans le système nerveux central.