title: Characterization and autoradiographic distribution of neurotensin binding sites in the human brain.
abstract: The characteristics and topographical distribution of monoiodo 125I-Tyr3-neurotensin (NT) binding sites in normal human brain tissue were studied on brain sections and by quantitative autoradiography. Sections at the level of the substantia nigra show a dissociation constant and maximal binding capacity of 4.8 +/- 0.8 nM and 70 +/- 7 fmol/mg protein, respectively. High density of 125I-NT binding sites were mainly found in dopaminergic (DA)-rich areas such as the substantia nigra, the ventral tegmental area, the striatum and the nucleus accumbens, further supporting an interaction between NT and DA neurons in human brain.
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001345:Autoradiography; D001665:Binding Sites; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism*; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000378:metabolism; D003342:Corpus Striatum / Q000378:metabolism; D004298:Dopamine / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007031:Hypothalamus / Q000378:metabolism; D009496:Neurotensin / Q000378:metabolism*; D009714:Nucleus Accumbens / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D009496:Neurotensin; D004298:Dopamine