Immunohistochemical localization of cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript peptide (CARTp) in the brain of the pigeon (Columba livia) and zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata).
Cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript peptides (CARTp) are neuropeptides that act as neurotransmitters in the brain of vertebrates. The expression of CARTp has been characterized in teleosts, amphibians, and several mammalian species, but comparative data in reptiles and birds are nonexistent. In this study, we show the distribution of immunoreactivity against CART peptides (CARTp-ir) in the brains of two bird species: the pigeon (Columba livia) and zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata). We found CARTp-ir cells and terminals in the brains of both, but no major differences between the two species. As in mammals, teleost fish, and amphibians, CARTp-ir terminals and cells were abundant in subpallial regions, particularly the striatum and nucleus accumbens. We also found CARTp-ir cells and terminals in the hypothalamus, and a large number of CARTp-ir terminals in the substantia nigra, ventral tegmental area, periaqueductal gray, parabrachial nucleus, and dorsal vagal complex. However, in contrast to other vertebrates, CARTp-ir was not found in the olfactory bulb. In addition there was almost no CARTp-ir in the pallium or the hippocampal formation, and little CARTp-ir in the cerebellum. The conserved expression of CARTp in the subpallium, hypothalamus, and dorsal vagal complex of birds suggests that some of the functions of CARTp, such as regulation of food intake and interactions with the social control network and mesolimbic reward system, are conserved among vertebrates. J. Comp. Neurol. 524:3747-3773, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Department of Zoology, Technical University of Munich, 85354, Freising-Weihenstephan, Germany. ca.gutierrez@tum.de.
Cristian
C
Gutierrez-Ibanez
Department of Neuroscience, Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB, T1K 3M4, Canada.
Andrew N
AN
Iwaniuk
Neurosciences and Mental Health Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2E9, Canada.
Megan
M
Jensen
Neurosciences and Mental Health Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2E9, Canada.
David J
DJ
Graham
Department of Ethology, Eötvös Loránd University, H-1117, Budapest, Hungary.
Ákos
Á
Pogány
Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2E9, Canada.
Benjamin C
BC
Mongomery
Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2E9, Canada.
James L
JL
Stafford
Department of Zoology, Technical University of Munich, 85354, Freising-Weihenstephan, Germany.
Harald
H
Luksch
Neurosciences and Mental Health Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2E9, Canada.
Douglas R
DR
Wylie
D000818:Animals; D030161:Avian Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D001921:Brain / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D010856:Columbidae / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D046369:Finches / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000378:metabolism*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D010784:Photomicrography; D000098882:Cocaine- and Amphetamine-Regulated Transcript Protein
D030161:Avian Proteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D000098882:Cocaine- and Amphetamine-Regulated Transcript Protein
AB_2314088; AB_2340593; hypothalamus; immunohistochemistry; mesolimbic reward circuit; neuropeptide; social behavior network; subpallium