Calcium-binding protein immunoreactivity characterizes the auditory system of Gekko gecko.
Geckos use vocalizations for intraspecific communication, but little is known about the organization of their central auditory system. We therefore used antibodies against the calcium-binding proteins calretinin (CR), parvalbumin (PV), and calbindin-D28k (CB) to characterize the gecko auditory system. We also examined expression of both glutamic acid decarboxlase (GAD) and synaptic vesicle protein (SV2). Western blots showed that these antibodies are specific to gecko brain. All three calcium-binding proteins were expressed in the auditory nerve, and CR immunoreactivity labeled the first-order nuclei and delineated the terminal fields associated with the ascending projections from the first-order auditory nuclei. PV expression characterized the superior olivary nuclei, whereas GAD immunoreactivity characterized many neurons in the nucleus of the lateral lemniscus and some neurons in the torus semicircularis. In the auditory midbrain, the distribution of CR, PV, and CB characterized divisions within the central nucleus of the torus semicircularis. All three calcium-binding proteins were expressed in nucleus medialis of the thalamus. These expression patterns are similar to those described for other vertebrates.
Yan
Kai
K
Department of Biology, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742, USA.
Tang
Ye-Zhong
YZ
Carr
Catherine E
CE
D000818:Animals; D001306:Auditory Pathways / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000378:metabolism; D001921:Brain / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000378:metabolism; D064092:Calbindin 1; D064032:Calbindin 2; D064026:Calbindins; D002135:Calcium-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D005968:Glutamate Decarboxylase / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008116:Lizards / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000378:metabolism; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D010320:Parvalbumins / Q000378:metabolism*; D064030:S100 Calcium Binding Protein G / Q000378:metabolism*; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000378:metabolism
C576498:CALB1 protein, human; C576764:CALB2 protein, human; D064092:Calbindin 1; D064032:Calbindin 2; D064026:Calbindins; D002135:Calcium-Binding Proteins; D010320:Parvalbumins; D064030:S100 Calcium Binding Protein G; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; D005968:Glutamate Decarboxylase