title: Cellular distribution of the mRNA for the kappa-opioid receptor in the human neocortex: a non-isotopic in situ hybridization study.
abstract: Opioid receptors (OR) provide primary interaction sites of the human brain with opiates. Presently kappa-OR mRNA expression was studied in different cortical areas (A4, A10, A17) by in situ hybridization using digoxigenin-labeled oligonucleotides and an alkaline phosphatase-mediated color reaction. kappa-OR mRNA was expressed mainly in layers II/III and V pyramidal and layer VI multiform neurons. A4 giant pyramidal and A17 giant stellate neurons stood out labeled. These findings fit in with our data on kappa-OR protein distribution. Combined cellular assessment of protein and mRNA will enable the study kappa-OR expression under physiological and pathological conditions.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001483:Base Sequence; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000737:chemistry*; D004076:Digoxigenin; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017403:In Situ Hybridization / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D017473:Receptors, Opioid, kappa / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D012333:RNA, Messenger; D017473:Receptors, Opioid, kappa; D004076:Digoxigenin