Ultrastructural localisation of ATP-gated P2X2 receptor immunoreactivity in the rat hypothalamo-neurohypophysial system |
| |
| Authors: | Loesch Andrzej Miah Suhel Burnstock Geoffrey |
| |
| Institution: | 1. Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, UK
2. Autonomic Neuroscience Institute, Royal Free and University College Medical School, Rowland Hill Street, London, NW3 2PF, UK
|
| |
| Abstract: | The distribution of the P2X2 subtype of the purine receptor associated with the extracellular signalling activities of ATP was studied in the rat hypothalamo-neurohypophysial system at the electron microscope level. Receptors were labelled with ExtrAvidin-horseradish peroxidase preembedding immunocytochemistry using a polyclonal antibody against a fragment of an intracellular domain of the receptor. Immunoreactivity to P2X2 receptors was localised in: (i) paraventricular and supraoptic nuclei—in subpopulations of endocrine neurones, neurosecretory and non-neurosecretory axons and dendrites; and (ii) the neurohypophysis—in pituicytes and subpopulation of neurosecretory axons. In both the hypothalamic nuclei examined, labelled asymmetric axo-dendritic synapses were commonly observed. These synapses involved either P2X2-labelled axon terminals (synaptic buttons) and unlabelled dendrites or labelled dendrites and unlabelled axon terminals. Axo-somatic synapses established by P2X2-positive axons on P2X2-positive endocrine cell bodies as well as on P2X2-negative somata were also observed. The functional significance of these findings is discussed. |
| |
| Keywords: | |
| 本文献已被 SpringerLink 等数据库收录！ |
|
