Differential expression patterns of mGluR1 alpha in monkey nigral dopamine neurons.
The expression pattern of metabotropic glutamate receptor 1alpha (mGluR1alpha) was immunohistochemically investigated in substantia nigra dopaminergic neurons of the macaque monkey. In normal monkeys, mGluR1alpha immunoreactivity was weakly observed in the dorsal tier of the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc-d) where calbindin-D28k-containing dopaminergic neurons invulnerable to parkinsonian degeneration are specifically located. On the other hand, mGluR1alpha was strongly expressed in the ventral tier of the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc-v). In monkeys treated with the parkinsonism-inducing drug, 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP), mGluR1alpha expression was decreased in dopaminergic neurons in the SNc-v that were spared its toxic action. These results suggest that mGluR1alpha expression may be involved at least partly in the vulnerability of dopaminergic neurons to parkinsonian insults.
Kaneda
Katsuyuki
K
Department of System Neuroscience, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute for Neuroscience, Tokyo Metropolitan Organization for Medical Research, Fuchu, Tokyo 183-8526, Japan. kaneda@tmiu.ac.jp
Imanishi
Michiko
M
Nambu
Atsushi
A
Shigemoto
Ryuichi
R
Takada
Masahiko
M
D000818:Animals; D004298:Dopamine / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008251:Macaca; D008297:Male; D009474:Neurons / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D018094:Receptors, Metabotropic Glutamate / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D013378:Substantia Nigra / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*
D018094:Receptors, Metabotropic Glutamate; C104077:metabotropic glutamate receptor type 1; D004298:Dopamine