Distribution of alpha7 and alpha4 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunits in several tissues of Triturus carnifex (Amphibia, Urodela) |
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Authors: | Valiante Salvatore Capaldo Anna Virgilio Francesca Sciarrillo Rosaria De Falco Maria Gay Flaminia Laforgia Vincenza Varano Lorenzo |
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Institution: | Department of Evolutionary and Comparative Biology, University of Naples "Federico II", 80134 Naples, Italy. valiante@unina.it |
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Abstract: | The distribution of neuronal and non-neuronal mRNAs for alpha7 and alpha4 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunits was investigated in Triturus carnifex tissues using the in situ hybridization approach. The findings reveal a composite pattern of expression only partially overlapping for the two subunits; subunit alpha7 seems to be expressed widely throughout nervous, gastrointestinal and skin tissues, while alpha4 is present in a restricted number of cells of nervous and gastrointestinal tissue. We also found a specific pattern for each subunit; alpha7 and alpha4 associated exclusively to the epidermal glands and hypophysis, respectively; this is probably due to alternative roles that nicotinic acetylcholine receptors play in regulating physiological functions of non-neuronal amphibian tissues, rather than as mere neurotransmitters in the nervous system. |
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Keywords: | Acetylcholine Triturus carnifex In situ hybridization Nicotinic receptor Amphibian |
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