Distribution of alpha7 and alpha4 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunits in several tissues of Triturus carnifex (Amphibia, Urodela).
The distribution of neuronal and non-neuronal mRNAs for alpha7 and alpha4 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunits was investigated in Triturus carnifex tissues using the in situ hybridization approach. The findings reveal a composite pattern of expression only partially overlapping for the two subunits; subunit alpha7 seems to be expressed widely throughout nervous, gastrointestinal and skin tissues, while alpha4 is present in a restricted number of cells of nervous and gastrointestinal tissue. We also found a specific pattern for each subunit; alpha7 and alpha4 associated exclusively to the epidermal glands and hypophysis, respectively; this is probably due to alternative roles that nicotinic acetylcholine receptors play in regulating physiological functions of non-neuronal amphibian tissues, rather than as mere neurotransmitters in the nervous system.
Valiante
Salvatore
S
Department of Evolutionary and Comparative Biology, University of Naples "Federico II", 80134 Naples, Italy. valiante@unina.it
Capaldo
Anna
A
Virgilio
Francesca
F
Sciarrillo
Rosaria
R
De Falco
Maria
M
Gay
Flaminia
F
Laforgia
Vincenza
V
Varano
Lorenzo
L
D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D005753:Gastric Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism*; D007422:Intestines / Q000166:cytology; D010902:Pituitary Gland / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D021122:Protein Subunits / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D011978:Receptors, Nicotinic / Q000378:metabolism*; D013270:Stomach / Q000166:cytology; D014018:Tissue Distribution; D014319:Triturus / Q000378:metabolism*; D064569:alpha7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor
D021122:Protein Subunits; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011978:Receptors, Nicotinic; D064569:alpha7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor