Nicotinic receptor subunit mRNA in the thalamus of the rat: relevance to schizophrenia?
Recent evidence suggests that aberrant nicotinic receptor (nAChR) expression plays an important role in schizophrenia. The present study sought to examine the distribution of nAChRs within the thalamus and associated cholinergic structures by examining nAChR subunit mRNA expression using in situ hybridization histochemistry. Transcripts for alpha4 and beta2 subunits were found in high levels in all thalamic nuclei and at lower levels in cholinergic nuclei (PPTg and MS/VDB). Distribution of mRNA encoding for additional subunits was restricted; lower alpha3 subunit transcript levels were detected in the anterior thalamic nuclei and portions of the lateral and posterior thalamic nuclei, with alpha7 transcripts being detected in cholinergic nuclei, the IMD and very low levels in the RTN. Low levels of alpha6 and beta3 transcript were found only within the RTN.
Ryan
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Department of Pharmaceutical Biology and Pharmacology, Victorian College of Pharmacy, Monash University, Parkville, Australia.
Loiacono
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D000818:Animals; D001345:Autoradiography; D005260:Female; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D008297:Male; D015345:Oligonucleotide Probes; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D011978:Receptors, Nicotinic / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000378:metabolism*; D013788:Thalamus / Q000378:metabolism*
D015345:Oligonucleotide Probes; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011978:Receptors, Nicotinic