title: Ontogeny of vesicular monoamine transporter mRNAs VMAT1 and VMAT2. II. Expression in neural crest derivatives and their target sites in the rat.
abstract: We used in situ hybridization histochemistry to study the expression of the two vesicular monoamine transporters (VMAT1 and VMAT2) during embryonic development in the rat. In the adult rat VMAT2 is present exclusively in neuronal tissues and VMAT1 is present in the adrenal medulla and in certain intestinal endocrine cells. We found that both transporter molecules are more widely expressed during development. We demonstrate a complete overlap of the two VMAT mRNAs in the sympathetic nervous system between E13 and E21 days. In addition, VMAT2 (and to some extent VMAT1) mRNA is expressed in ganglionic cells of the parasympathetic nervous system and in cranial ganglia (trigeminal, vestibular and spiral ganglia) between E12 and E21. The sensory neurons of the dorsal root ganglia, which are also neural crest derivatives, express VMAT2 mRNA (E11-E21), exclusively. Both VMAT mRNAs are found in the developing GI system, but in different cells. VMAT1 mRNA was detected in organs of the endocrine system (pituitary gland, adrenal gland, testis, seminal vesicle), some connective tissue cells, and the thymus. We observed expression of both VMAT mRNAs in two separate cell groups in the placenta (E8-E10). Based on their distribution during development we suggest that monoamines, released in a controlled fashion, might affect migration and differentiation of neural crest derivatives.
authors.affiliation: Unit on Molecular Pharmacology, Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Regulation, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
authors.forename: S R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Hansson
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mezey
authors.forename: B J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Hoffman
mesh_terms: D000313:Adrenal Medulla / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D003391:Cranial Nerves / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism; D005314:Embryonic and Fetal Development; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins; D009432:Neural Crest / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism*; D009479:Neuropeptides; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000096:biosynthesis; D009928:Organ Specificity; D010275:Parasympathetic Nervous System / Q000196:embryology*; D015347:RNA Probes; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism; D013564:Sympathetic Nervous System / Q000196:embryology* / Q000378:metabolism; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D050492:Vesicular Biogenic Amine Transport Proteins; D050493:Vesicular Monoamine Transport Proteins
chemical_list: D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins; D009479:Neuropeptides; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D015347:RNA Probes; D012333:RNA, Messenger; C493451:Slc18a1 protein, rat; C493454:Slc18a2 protein, rat; D050492:Vesicular Biogenic Amine Transport Proteins; D050493:Vesicular Monoamine Transport Proteins