title: Autoradiographic distribution of mu and delta opiate receptors in rat brain using highly selective ligands.
abstract: We have characterized the autoradiographic distribution of mu and delta opiate receptors in rat brain using [3H]-Tyr-D-Ala-Gly-NMe-Phe-Gly-ol (DAGO) and [3H]D-Thr2, Thr6leu-enkephalin (DTLET), two highly selective ligands for mu and delta opiate receptors, respectively. Both ligands label an apparent single class of sites. Ligand selectivity shows that [3H]DAGO and [3H]DTLET are more selective ligands for their respective receptors than [3H]dihydromorphine (DHM) and [3H][D-Ala2,D-Leu5]enkephalin (DADLE). Autoradiographically, mu opiate receptors are highly discretely distributed in certain areas. High densities are found in "patches" in caudate-putamen, nucleus accumbens, cingulate cortex, habenula, various thalamic nuclei, amygdala, superior colliculus, and interpeduncular nucleus. Delta opiate receptors are mostly concentrated in the external plexiform layers of the olfactory bulb, caudate-putamen, olfactory tubercule, claustrum, and deep layers (layers V and VI) of the cortex. Since [3H]DAGO and [3H]DTLET are more selective ligands for their respective opiate receptor subtypes, they should be better ligands to characterize the fine distribution of mu and delta opiate receptors.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001345:Autoradiography; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D011957:Receptors, Opioid / Q000378:metabolism*; D017465:Receptors, Opioid, delta; D017450:Receptors, Opioid, mu; D014018:Tissue Distribution; D014316:Tritium
chemical_list: D011957:Receptors, Opioid; D017465:Receptors, Opioid, delta; D017450:Receptors, Opioid, mu; D014316:Tritium