Subpopulations of neurons in rat substantia nigra display GABABR2 receptor immunoreactivity

Tony K.Y. Ng, Kin Lam YUNG*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articlepeer-review

11 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

A functional gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) B receptor is the first metabotropic receptor known to be composed of two heteromeric subunits, GABABR1 and GABABR2. Our previous report [Neuroscience 99 (2000) 65] has demonstrated that subpopulations of neurons in the rat substantia nigra display distinct patterns of distribution of GABABR1 receptor immunoreactivity. A robust level of GABABR1 receptor is only found in the dopaminergic neurons of the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc). The objective of the present study was to determine the precise cellular localization of GABABR2 subunit in the rat substantia nigra using double immunofluorescence. Neuropilar elements in the SNc and the substantia nigra pars reticulata (SNr) were found to display GABABR2 immunoreactivity. In addition, the tyrosine hydroxylase-immunoreactive dopaminergic neurons and the parvalbumin-immunoreactive GABAergic neurons in the SNr were also found to display GABABR2 immunoreactivity. The present results thus demonstrate that a functional GABAB receptor may be expressed by the dopaminergic neurons in the SNc. It is less clear whether neurons in the SNr express a functional GABAB receptor. The present findings have important functional implications in GABA neurotransmission in the substantia nigra.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)210-216
Number of pages7
JournalBrain Research
Volume920
Issue number1-2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 30 Nov 2001

Scopus Subject Areas

  • General Neuroscience
  • Molecular Biology
  • Clinical Neurology
  • Developmental Biology

User-Defined Keywords

  • Basal ganglia
  • Confocal microscopy
  • Dopaminergic neuron
  • G-protein coupled receptor
  • GABA receptor

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