Work

MC4R expression in pedunculopontine nucleus involved in the modulation of midbrain dopamine system.

Year: 2015

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Separate studies have implicated the pedunculopontine tegmental nucleus (PPTg) in processing aversive stimuli to dopamine systems, and melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) are broadly expressed by the neurons in the PPTg, but the exact neurosubstrate underlying the regulation of dopamine systems by the central melanocortin pathway is poorly understood. METHODS: In this study, the PPTg of 6 adult mice expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP) under the control of the MC4R promoter was detected by fluorescence immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: A large number of GFP-positive neurons in the dissipated parts of PPTg (dpPPTg) were found, and approximately 50% of MC4R-GFP- positive neurons in the dpPPTg coexpressed tyrosine hydroxylase, a marker of dopamine neurons, indicating that they were dopaminergic. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings support the hypothesis that MC4R signaling in the dpPPTg may involve in the modulation of midbrain dopamine systems.

Source: Europe PMC (PubMed Central)

Authors: Yan Hao, Xue-Bi Tian, Tao-Tao Liu, Cheng Liu, Hong-Bing Xiang, Jian-Guo Zhang

Institutions: Tongji Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Capital Medical University, Beijing Tian Tan Hospital

Language: English

Topic: Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior

Subfield: Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience

Field: Neuroscience

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

OpenAlex ID: W257401774

FWCI: 1.375

Cites: 35

Cited by: 14

Related to: 10