Distribution of alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionate-type glutamate receptor subunits (GluR2/3) along the ventral visual pathway in the monkey.
By using immunohistochemical methods, we examined the distribution of cells expressing subunits of alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionate (AMPA)-selective glutamate receptors (GluR2/3) in the cortical areas of the occipitotemporal pathway in monkeys. GluR2/3-immunoreactive (-ir) cells were primarily pyramidal cells; this category, however, also included large stellate cells in layer IVB of the striate cortex (V1) and fusiform cells in layer VI of all the areas examined. GluR2/3 immunoreactivity differed among the areas in laminar distribution and intensity. In V1, GluR2/3-ir cells were identified mainly in layers II, III, IVB, and VI. The prestriate areas V2 and V4 and the inferior temporal areas TEO and TE contained GluR2/3-ir cells in layers II, III, and VI. In the TE, GluR2/3-ir cells were also abundant in layer V. In area 36 of the perirhinal cortex, neurons in layers II, III, V, and VI were labeled in a similar manner to the TE labeling, but with greater staining intensity and numbers, especially in layer V. Thus, GluR2/3 immunoreactivity increased rostrally along the pathway. Within V1 and V2, cells strongly stained for GluR2/3 formed clusters that colocalized with cytochrome oxidase (CO)-rich regions. These distinct laminar and regional distribution patterns of GluR2/3 expression may contribute to the specific physiological properties of neurons within various visual areas and compartments.
Xu
Lihua
L
Core Research for Evolutional Science and Technology, Japan Science and Technology Corporation, Osaka 565-0871, Japan.
Tanigawa
Hisashi
H
Fujita
Ichiro
I
D000818:Animals; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008251:Macaca; D008252:Macaca fascicularis; D009474:Neurons / Q000737:chemistry*; D009778:Occipital Lobe / Q000737:chemistry*; D017966:Pyramidal Cells / Q000737:chemistry; D018091:Receptors, AMPA / Q000032:analysis*; D013702:Temporal Lobe / Q000737:chemistry*
D018091:Receptors, AMPA