Abstract
Background
In the central nervous system of mammals, transporters localized on the presynaptic nerve terminals regulate the reuptake of neurotransmitters. These transporters are selective for a specific neurotransmitter such as dopamine (DA) and norepinephrine (NE). Specifically in the synapse, the dopamine transporter (DAT) reuptakes DA and the norepinephrine transporter (NET) reuptakes NE. However previous research has found that avian species do not have a gene for DAT, and therefore, birds may be using the NET to clear both NE and DA from the synapse. The current study aimed to extend this finding by localizing NET expression in male and female Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) brains using [3H]Nisoxetine, a selective NET blocker.
Results
High densities of binding sites were observed in the olfactory tubercle (OTu), the medial striatum (MSt), and the lateral striatum (LSt). Lower densities of binding sites were detected in the amygdala (AMY) and hypothalamus (Hyp), and low binding was found in the medial preoptic area (mPOA) and the pallium.
Conclusion
The areas with the highest densities of NET are also areas that previous research has shown to have high levels of DA activity but low levels of NE innervation (e.g. striatum). The distribution of this reuptake transporter is consistent with the theory that NET acts to clear both DA and NE from the synapse.
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
9-22-2021
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
https://doi.org/10.1186/s41936-021-00235-w
Funding Information
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism training grant T32 AA027488 awarded to SEE and provided training and a stipend to SEE.
Related Content
The datasets generated during and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author (SEE) on reasonable request.
Repository Citation
Eaton, Shannon E.; Pauly, James R.; Hopkins, Deann M.; and Akins, Chana K., "Autoradiographic Localization of [3H]-Nisoxetine Binding Sites in the CNS of Male and Female Japanese Quail" (2021). Pharmaceutical Sciences Faculty Publications. 178.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/ps_facpub/178
Notes/Citation Information
Published in The Journal of Basic and Applied Zoology, v. 82, article no. 39.
© The Author(s) 2021
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