Li Hailong, Illenberger Jessica M, McLaurin Kristen A, Mactutus Charles F, Booze Rosemarie M
Program in Behavioral Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, University of South Carolina.
Program in Behavioral Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, University of South Carolina;
J Vis Exp. 2018 Mar 27(133):57444. doi: 10.3791/57444.
In the central nervous system, the D1-alpha subtype receptor (Drd1α) is the most abundant dopamine (DA) receptor, which plays a vital role in regulating neuronal growth and development. However, the mechanisms underlying Drd1α receptor abnormalities mediating behavioral responses and modulating working memory function are still unclear. Using a novel RNA in situ hybridization assay, the current study identified dopamine Drd1α receptor and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) RNA expression from DA-related circuitry in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) area and substantia nigra region (SNR), respectively. Drd1α expression in the NAc shows a "discrete dot" staining pattern. Clear sex differences in Drd1α expression were observed. In contrast, TH shows a "clustered" staining pattern. Regarding TH expression, female rats displayed a higher signal expression per cell relative to male animals. The methods presented here provide a novel in situ hybridization technique for investigating changes in dopamine system dysfunction during the progression of central nervous system diseases.
在中枢神经系统中，D1-α亚型受体（Drd1α）是最丰富的多巴胺（DA）受体，它在调节神经元生长和发育中起着至关重要的作用。然而，Drd1α受体异常介导行为反应和调节工作记忆功能的潜在机制仍不清楚。利用一种新型的RNA原位杂交检测方法，本研究分别在伏隔核（NAc）区域和黑质区域（SNR）的DA相关神经回路中鉴定了多巴胺Drd1α受体和酪氨酸羟化酶（TH）的RNA表达。NAc中Drd1α的表达呈现“离散点状”染色模式。观察到Drd1α表达存在明显的性别差异。相比之下，TH呈现“簇状”染色模式。就TH表达而言，雌性大鼠相对于雄性动物每个细胞显示出更高的信号表达。本文介绍的方法为研究中枢神经系统疾病进展过程中多巴胺系统功能障碍的变化提供了一种新型的原位杂交技术。
