title: Expression of serotonin transporter messenger RNA in the human brain.
abstract: The characterization and cellular localization of human brain mRNA encoding the serotonin transporter were investigated using northern blot analysis and in situ hybridization histochemistry. In contrast to results from rodent studies, in which single hybridizing mRNAs are detected in brain and periphery, northern analysis of human midbrain raphe tissue revealed the presence of three mRNA species absent from samples prepared from substantia nigra/ventral tegmental area. In situ hybridization studies revealed dense hybridization signal corresponding to serotonin transporter mRNA highly localized to neurons of the dorsal and median raphe nuclei and the caudal linear nucleus. No hybridization signal was observed in neurons of the substantia nigra or locus ceruleus. These findings demonstrate the first anatomical visualization of human brain serotonin transporter gene expression and reveal heterogeneity associated with serotonin transporter transcripts, similar to, but distinct from the pattern of expression visualized in human peripheral tissues.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, PA 15213.
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Austin
authors.forename: C C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Bradley
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Mann
authors.forename: R D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Blakely
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015152:Blotting, Northern; D001933:Brain Stem / Q000378:metabolism*; D002102:Cadaver; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D008297:Male; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000235:genetics*; D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins; D008636:Mesencephalon / Q000378:metabolism; D008875:Middle Aged; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D016376:Oligonucleotides, Antisense; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism*; D011903:Raphe Nuclei / Q000378:metabolism; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins
chemical_list: D002352:Carrier Proteins; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D016376:Oligonucleotides, Antisense; D012333:RNA, Messenger; C493230:SLC6A4 protein, human; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins