Abstract
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.
Original language | English |
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Article number | e57444 |
Journal | Journal of Visualized Experiments |
Volume | 2018 |
Issue number | 133 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Mar 15 2018 |
Bibliographical note
Publisher Copyright:© 2018, Journal of Visualized Experiments. All rights reserved.
Keywords
- Biological Sex
- Dopamine D1-alpha receptor (Drd1α)
- In situ
- Neuroscience
- RNA hybridization
- Rat
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Neuroscience
- General Chemical Engineering
- General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
- General Immunology and Microbiology