An improved method for visualizing the cell bodies of zincergic neurons.
Physiological studies have shown that synaptically released zinc plays an important role in neural signaling by modulating a number of excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitter receptors and intracellular signaling proteins. In order to localize neurons having a zincergic phenotype, Slomianka et al. [Neuroscience 38 (1990) 843] developed a labeling technique, based on the systemic administration of sodium selenite, that results in the retrograde transport of zinc-selenide crystals from axonal boutons to the cell bodies of origin. A major problem associated with this method is that the zincergic neurons are obscured by high levels of staining within synaptic boutons. In the present study, we describe a modification of the procedure for retrograde labeling of zincergic neurons, that uses a preincubation step with H2O2, which eliminates labeling of axon terminals while leaving the staining of cell bodies intact. Using this method we reveal that zincergic neurons comprise a large proportion of neurons in the murine forebrain, underscoring their contribution to network properties therein.
Brown
Craig E
CE
Department of Psychology, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive, N.W., Calgary, Alta., Canada T2N 1N4.
Dyck
Richard H
RH
D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D009474:Neurons / Q000145:classification / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D016622:Silver Staining / Q000379:methods; D018038:Sodium Selenite / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D013194:Staining and Labeling / Q000379:methods*; D016707:Tissue Fixation / Q000379:methods; D015032:Zinc / Q000378:metabolism*
D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide; D018038:Sodium Selenite; D015032:Zinc