Quantitative autoradiographic localization of [125I]alpha-bungarotoxin binding sites in the honeybee brain.

Binding sites for the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor antagonist, [125I]alpha-bungarotoxin, were localized in the honeybee brain by in vitro autoradiography. Highest binding site densities were localized in the suboesophageal ganglion, the optic tubercles, optic lobes medulla and lobula, antennal lobes, dorsal lobes and the alpha-lobes of the mushroom bodies. The distribution pattern of these putative nicotinic acetylcholine receptors suggests that acetylcholine is involved in several sensory pathways and in central information processing in the honeybee brain.