Dopaminergic D1 and D2 receptor antagonists decrease prosomatostatin mRNA expression in rat striatum

Presynaptic modulation by somatostatin in the rat neostriatum is altered in a model of parkinsonism

Somatostatin (SST) is a peptide synthesized and released by a class of neostriatal local GABAergic interneurons, which, to some extent, are in charge of the feedforward inhibitory circuit. Spiny projection neurons (SPNs) make synapses with each other via their local axon collaterals, shaping the feedback inhibitory circuit. Both inhibitory circuits, feedforward and feedback, are related through SST, which, being released by interneurons, presynaptically inhibits connections among SPNs. Here, we studied SST presynaptic modulation of synapses among SPNs in the 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) rodent model of parkinsonism. We performed antidromic field stimulation from the external globus pallidus and whole cell voltage-clamp recordings of antidromically evoked inhibitory postsynaptic currents (IPSCs) among SPNs. SST presynaptically reduced IPSCs by ∼34% in all control synapses tested. However, after striatal dopamine deprivation, three changes became evident. First, it was harder to evoke feedback inhibition. Second, presynaptic inhibition of some SPNs connections was larger than in controls: 57% reduction in ∼53% of evoked IPSCs. Presynaptic inhibition was recorded from direct pathway neurons (direct SPNs). Finally, SST also induced presynaptic facilitation in some SPNs connections, with 82% enhancement in ∼43% of evoked IPSCs. Presynaptic facilitation was recorded from indirect pathway neurons (indirect SPNs). Both inhibition and facilitation were accompanied by corresponding changes in the paired pulse ratio. It was demonstrated that after dopamine deprivation, SST modulation is altered in surviving feedback inhibitory synapses. It may underlie a homeostatic mechanism trying to compensate for the excitability imbalance between direct and indirect basal ganglia pathways found during parkinsonism.

Relative expression of mRNA for the somatostatin receptors in the caudate putamen of C57BL/6J and 129P3/J mice: strain and heroin effects

Using real time qPCR, we examined the expression of mRNAs for the five somatostatin receptors (SSTRs) in the caudate putamen of male C57BL/6J and 129P3/J mice. Animals were exposed to multiple injections of heroin, or saline, in the setting of a conditioned place preference study. The relative expression levels of the five SSTR mRNAs differed between the two strains. In both strains, SSTR-1 mRNA was expressed at the highest levels and SSTR-5 at the lowest. Interestingly, in 129P3/J mice SSTR-3 mRNA was not detected in the caudate putamen. We confirmed this finding in the frontal cortex, hypothalamus, nucleus accumbens and a region containing the substantia nigra and ventral tegmental area. We also found strain differences in the mRNA levels of SSTR-2 and -4. Intermittent heroin administration had a dose-dependent effect on the levels of SSTR-1 and -3 mRNAs. These results demonstrate strain differences in the expression of specific mRNAs and a heroin-induced dose-dependent elevation of SSTR-1 and -3 mRNAs in the mouse caudate putamen.

Anatomical localization and regulation of somatostatin gene expression in the basal ganglia and its clinical implications

The distribution of somatostatin in both the human and rat brain suggests that it is involved in numerous functions, including endocrine regulation, cognition and memory, autonomic regulation and motor activity. We have examined the regulation of somatostatin mRNA in the striatum, a brain region involved in motor and cognitive behaviour. Somatostatin and its mRNA are expressed in this region in interneurons which are resistant to ischaemia, excitotoxicity and Huntington's disease, possibly because they express high levels of superoxide dismutase. Striatal somatostatin mRNA is increased by stimulation of NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate) receptors. Ischaemia-induced cortical lesions also increase somatostatin gene expression in the striatum. In contrast, the levels of striatal somatostatin mRNA decrease after treatment with haloperidol, an antipsychotic agent that produces extrapyramidal symptoms, but not clozapine, which does not. Further evidence for a role for striatal somatostatin in extrapyramidal symptoms includes the observation that somatostatin mRNA levels decrease in the striatum after lesions are made in the dopaminergic pathway, a feature of Parkinson's disease. The largest change in somatostatin gene expression after dopaminergic lesions is the increase in somatostatin mRNA level sin neurons of the internal pallidum and lateral hypothalamus projecting to the lateral habenula. The results suggest that changes in brain somatostatin gene expression occur in pathological conditions and may be related to their symptoms.

Chronic antidepressant treatment modulates the release of somatostatin in the rat nucleus accumbens

This study investigated the in vivo neuronal release of somatostatin in the rat nucleus accumbens (NAc), and the effect of chronic administration of antidepressants. Microdialysis studies were performed on male Sprague-Dawley rats, in accordance with the EU guidelines (EEC Council 86/609). Somatostatin levels were quantified by radioimmunoassay (RIA) or enzyme linked immuno sorbent assay (ELISA). A high concentration of potassium ions (K(+), 100 mM) was used to ascertain the neuronal release of somatostatin. Antidepressant treatments involved the administration of citalopram (20 mg/2 ml/kg, i.p., once daily) or desipramine (DMI, 5 mg/2 ml/kg, i.p., twice daily) for 21 days. Control groups received saline (2 ml/kg for 21 days, i.p.) once or twice daily respective of the antidepressant treatment. Basal levels of somatostatin released were found to be 20.01+/-0.52 fmol/sample. K(+) (100 mM) increased somatostatin levels at 205% of basal. Chronic citalopram and desipramine treatments also increased the somatostatin levels by 83+/-32% and 40+/-6% of basal, respectively. These findings indicate that somatostatin is released neuronally in the NAc. Antidepressants influence its release in a positive manner, suggesting the necessity of further studies for the elucidation of the involvement of somatostatin in the putative therapeutic effects of these agents.

Somatostatin modulates the behavioral effects of dopamine receptor activation in parkinsonian rats

Somatostatin may play a role in several neuropsychiatric disorders, including Parkinson's disease. Although functional interactions between somatostatinergic and dopaminergic transmitter systems have been well documented, no study has been conducted in animals with experimental Parkinsonism to explore the effects of somatostatin on dopamine receptor-mediated behavior. In the present study, rats with unilateral 6-hydroxydopamine-induced destruction of the medial forebrain bundle were assessed following administration of the dopamine(1/2) receptor agonist apomorphine. Ipsilateral intrastriatal infusion of somatostatin produced a dose-related inhibition of apomorphine-induced rotations with maximal effect at a dose of 7.5 microg in 2 microl. This inhibitory effect of somatostatin was antagonized by the somatostatin antagonist cyclo-somatostatin (0.1 microg in 2 microl, intrastriatally). Neither somatostatin (up to 15 microg in 2 microl) nor cyclo-somatostatin on its own induced rotations; similarly, this dose of cyclo-somatostatin did not affect apomorphine-induced rotations. From these results we suggest that exogenous somatostatin, by directly acting on its specific receptors in the striatum, inhibits the effects of dopamine receptor activation in parkinsonian rats. We conclude that therapies based on modulation of somatostatin may be worth exploring in the management of Parkinson's disease and other disorders of the basal ganglia.

Activation of D1 and D2 dopamine receptors increases the activity of the somatostatin receptor-effector system in the rat frontoparietal cortex

The role of dopamine D1 and D2 receptor subtypes in the regulation, in vivo, of the somatostatin (SRIF) receptor-effector system in rat frontoparietal cortex was investigated. The D1-receptor agonist SKF 38393 (4 mg/kg) or the D2-receptor agonist bromocriptine (2 mg/kg), administered intraperitoneally to rats, increased the number of SRIF receptors without altering the affinity constant, an effect antagonized by both SCH 23390 (0.25 mg/kg) and raclopride (5 mg/kg), D1 and D2 receptor antagonists, respectively. These antagonists alone had no effect on [(125)I]Tyr(3) octreotide binding to its receptors. No change in binding was detected when the dopamine agonists were added in vitro. Basal adenylyl cyclase (AC) activity was increased by SKF 38393 treatment and decreased by bromocriptine. Octreotide (SMS 201-995)-mediated inhibition of basal and forskolin-stimulated AC was increased by SKF 38393 or bromocriptine treatment. In frontoparietal cortical slices, basal inositol-1,4, 5-triphosphate (IP(3)) levels were decreased by bromocriptine treatment but were unaffected by SKF 38393. SMS 201-995 increased the IP(3) accumulation in control, SKF 38393-, and bromocriptine-treated rats. Insofar as SRIF and dopamine appear to be involved in motor regulation and could well modulate somatosensory functions in frontal and parietal cortex, respectively, heterologous receptor regulation may have important repercussions regarding the control exerted by these neurotransmitters on frontal and parietal cortical function in the intact animal.

Immunohistochemical localization of the somatostatin sst(4) receptor in rat brain

The biological actions of the neuromodulator somatostatin are mediated through a family of G-protein-coupled receptors, of which five members, sst(1-5), have been identified. Although the messenger RNA distribution of the sst(4) receptor has been reported, no information about the distribution of the receptor protein in the central nervous system is available. We have therefore raised a polyclonal peptide antibody against a rat carboxy-terminal sst(4) peptide. The selectivity of the affinity-purified antibody was demonstrated by western blotting of membrane proteins isolated from Chinese hamster ovary-K1 cells expressing the recombinant sst(4) receptor and from the rat hippocampus. This resulted in both cases in the identification of a single band of approximately 42,000 mol. wt. Furthermore, the sst(4) receptor antibody selectively labelled Chinese hamster ovary-K1 cells expressing the recombinant sst(4) receptor in immunocytochemistry. No cross-reactivity was observed with other recombinant somatostatin receptors. Immunohistochemistry on adult rat brain sections showed the sst(4) receptor to have a widespread distribution. This included labelling of cell bodies as well as processes in the cerebral cortex, hippocampus and several nuclei in the brainstem. All signals were absent following antibody preabsorption with the synthetic sst(4) peptide. This study provides the first detailed analysis of the distribution of sst(4) receptor protein in the rat brain.

Reduced number of striatal neurons expressing preprosomatostatin mRNA in rats with oral dyskinesias after long-term haloperidol administration

Neuroleptic-induced oral dyskinesia in rats, a putative analogue to human tardive dyskinesia, may be due to degeneration within the striatum. Using unbiased stereological methods, a decreased number of striatal neurons expressing preprosomatostatin mRNA was observed only in rats that developed pronounced oral dyskinesias after 30 weeks of haloperidol administration. The amount of preprosomatostatin mRNA in each striatal neuron, measured in terms of optical densities of individual neurons, was not affected by haloperidol. A tendency toward a reduction in the number of NADPH-diaphorase positive neurons was observed in rats receiving haloperidol. These results indicate that the mechanism by which neuroleptics induce oral dyskinesias in rats, and perhaps tardive dyskinesia in humans, involves a functional disruption and possibly damage of a subpopulation of interneurons in the striatum.

Measurement of GABAergic parameters in the prefrontal cortex in schizophrenia: focus on GABA content, GABA(A) receptor alpha-1 subunit messenger RNA and human GABA transporter-1 (HGAT-1) messenger RNA expression

The hypothesis that the pathophysiology of schizophrenia may be associated with a dysfunction in GABA transmission in the human prefrontal cortex was investigated. Human post mortem brain tissue from 10 control cases and six cases of schizophrenia were processed for amino acid analysis and for radioactive in situ hybridization. Laminae III and V of three prefrontal cortical areas were examined in detail, namely Brodmann areas 9, 10 and 11. Of these three areas significant changes in GABAergic markers were found only in areas 9 and 10. Of note, a significant decrease in the tissue content of GABA was observed and this was accompanied by a marked increase in the cellular expression of the GABA(A) receptor alpha-1 subunit messenger RNA and a marked decrease in the expression of human GABA transporter-1, the messenger RNA encoding the neuronal GABA transporter protein. The amino acid analysis data provided in this study coupled with the detailed cellular study of several GABAergic markers in the human prefrontal cortex provide direct evidence in support of a disturbance in GABA transmission in the prefrontal cortex, which may be loosely termed "hypofrontality".

Immunohistochemical localization of the somatostatin sst2(b) receptor splice variant in the rat central nervous system

Somatostatin is a neuromodulator in the mammalian CNS. To date, genes for at least five different somatotrophin release inhibiting factor receptors, termed sst1-sst5, have been cloned. The rat sst2 receptor exists in two splice variants, sst(alpha)a) and sst2(b), which differ in their carboxy-termini. When heterologously expressed in Chinese hamster ovary-K1 cells, these splice variants show little difference in their operational characteristics. Recently, the distribution of the sst2(a) receptor was documented, yet at present no data are available about the distribution of the sst2(b) receptor in the CNS. Here, we present the characterization of a novel polyclonal anti-peptide antibody that is selective for the sst2(b) receptor splice variant. The antibody was raised against the unique intracellular carboxy-terminal portion of the receptor protein. Using this affinity-purified antibody in western blotting experiments, the sst2(b) receptor expressed in Chinese hamster ovary-K1 cells was shown to be a glycoprotein with a molecular weight centred at about 85,000. The antibody showed no cross-reactivity to any of the recombinant human sst1-5 receptors, the rat sst2(a) receptor or wild-type Chinese hamster ovary-K1 cells. Employing immunohistochemistry, we investigated the distribution of the sst2(b) receptor in the brain and spinal cord of adult rats. A distinct distribution was found throughout the rostrocaudal axis of the CNS. Somatodendritic as well as axonal staining was observed. Somatodendritic labelling was particularly obvious in the olfactory bulb, cerebral cortex, hippocampal formation, mesencephalic trigeminal nucleus and cerebellum, as well as in cranial and spinal motor areas. The results show that the distribution of the sst2(b) receptor partially overlaps with that of the sst2(b) receptor, although there were differences in a number of brain areas. The location of the sst2(b) receptor implies that it may mediate a modulatory role of somatostatin inhibitory releasing factor on sensory as well as motor functions.

Activity-dependent dendritic targeting of BDNF and TrkB mRNAs in hippocampal neurons

The mechanisms underlying the subcellular localization of neurotrophins and their receptors are poorly understood. We show that in cultured hippocampal neurons, the mRNAs for BDNF and TrkB have a somatodendritic localization, and we quantify the extent of their dendritic mRNA localization. In the dendrites the labeling covers on average the proximal 30% of the total dendritic length. On high potassium depolarization, the labeling of BDNF and TrkB mRNA extends on average to 68% of the dendritic length. This increase does not depend on new RNA synthesis, is inhibited by the Na+ channel blocker tetrodotoxin, and involves the activation of glutamate receptors. Extracellular Ca2+, partly flowing through L-type Ca2+ channels, is absolutely required for this process to occur. At the protein level, a brief stimulation of hippocampal neurons with 10 mM KCl leads to a marked increase of BDNF and TrkB immunofluorescence density in the distal portion of dendrites, which also occurs, even if at lower levels, when transport is inhibited by nocodazole. The protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide abolishes this increase. The activity-dependent modulation of mRNA targeting and protein accumulation in the dendrites may provide a mechanism for achieving a selective local regulation of the activity of neurotrophins and their receptors, close to their sites of action.

Selective increase in somatostatin mRNA expression in human basal ganglia in Parkinson's disease

Levels of the neurotransmitter somatostatin (SS) have previously been shown to be reduced in the cortex and hippocampus of demented parkinsonian patients and patients with Alzheimer's disease. In situ hybridisation histochemistry (ISHH) was performed with an 35S tail-labelled oligonucleotide DNA probe to human SS mRNA, to examine its expression within the striatum, medial medullary lamina (MML) and reticular thalamic nucleus in Parkinson's disease (PD) and in matched controls. A chronic unilaterally MPTP-lesioned L-DOPA-naive primate model was also examined for comparison of SS mRNA expression with that in human L-DOPA treated PD subjects. Quantitation of SS mRNA expression on emulsion dipped sections revealed a significant increase (82%) in the MML of the globus pallidus in PD (56.5 microm2 of silver grain/cell, n = 9 cases) compared to controls (26.3 microm2/cell, n = 13 cases, p < 0.01, Student's t-test), paralleling the increase previously observed by this group for NOS mRNA. SS mRNA expression was higher in the dorsolateral than ventromedial putamen in controls (p < 0.001; DL: 24.89 +/- SEM 1.35; VM: 17.96 +/- SEM 2.63; n = 14) but this gradient was lost in PD cases (p > 0.05; DL: 22.68 +/- 1.94; VM: 22.17 +/- 2.94; n = 10). These findings suggest specific modification of basal ganglia SS-ergic pathways in PD.

Dopamine receptor-mediated regulation of expression of Fos and its related antigens (FRA) in somatostatin neurons in the hypothalamic periventricular nucleus

Somatostatin (SS)-containing perikarya located within the hypothalamic periventricular nucleus (PeVN) comprise a heterogenous population of neurons with both local intrahypothalamic and distant extrahypothalamic axonal projection sites. The close proximity of SS perikarya and their dendrites to dopaminergic (DA) neuronal processes in the PeVN suggests that these peptidergic neurons may be regulated by DA receptor-mediated mechanisms. To test this, the effects of the D1 agonist SKF 38393 and D2/3 agonist quinelorane were examined on expression of the immediate early gene products Fos and its related antigens (FRA) in SS-immunoreactive (IR) neurons in the PeVN. SS-IR neurons were located in the most medial portion of the PeVN bordered medially by the third ventricle and laterally by tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-IR neurons. In control rats, 10-15% of all SS-IR neurons contained FRA-IR. Activation of D1 receptors with SKF 38393 had no effect on either the total number of SS-IR neurons or the number of SS-IR neurons containing FRA-IR. In contrast, activation of D2/3 receptors with quinelorane decreased the number of SS-IR neurons containing FRA-IR, without affecting the total number of SS-IR neurons. The D2/3 antagonist raclopride had no effect per se, but prevented the quinelorane-induced decrease in the number of SS neurons expressing FRA-IR. These results reveal that activation of D2/3 (but not D1) receptors inhibits expression of the immediate early gene products FRA in SS-containing neurons in the PeVN, but expression of FRA in SS neurons is not tonically inhibited by dopamine acting on D2/3 receptors.

Acute effects of D1- and D2-receptor agonist and antagonist drugs on somatostatin binding, inhibition of adenylyl cyclase activity and accumulation of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate in the rat striatum

A recent study carried out by our group demonstrated that exogenous dopamine increases the somatostatin (SS) receptor-effector system in the rat striatum. The present study examined the participation of the D1- and D2-dopaminergic systems in the modulation of the rat striatal SS receptor-effector system by use of the D1-receptor agonist and antagonist SKF 38393 and SCH 23390, respectively, and the D2-receptor agonist and antagonist bromocriptine and raclopride, respectively. In view of the rapid onset of dopamine action, the effect of dopaminergic agents on the SS mechanism of action were studied 3 h after their administration. SKF 38393 (4 mg/kg i.p.) or bromocriptine (2 mg/kg i.p.) administered to male Wistar rats increased the number of 125I-Tyr3-SMS receptors in the striatum (52 and 30%, respectively) without changing the affinity constant. The effect of SKF 38393 on 125I-Tyr3-SMS binding was antagonized by the D1-specific antagonist SCH 23390 (0.25 mg/kg i.p.) whereas the effect of bromocriptine was abolished by the D2-specific antagonist raclopride (5 mg/kg i.p.). No change in binding was produced when SKF 38393 or bromocriptine were added directly to the incubation medium. The acute systemic administration of SCH 23390 or raclopride alone had no effect on the binding of 125I-Tyr3-SMS to its receptors. The increase of the number of 125I-Tyr3-SMS receptor induced by SKF 38393 or bromocriptine was accompanied by an increase in the capacity of SMS 201-995 to inhibit basal and forskolin (FK)-stimulated adenylyl cyclase (AC) activity when compared to the control groups. In addition, the effect of SMS 201-995 on the mass accumulation of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) was investigated. SKF 38393 as well as bromocriptine increased the capacity of SMS 201-995 to accumulate IP3 in the rat striatum although this effect was only statistically significant in the case of SKF 38393. These results suggest that the activation of D1 and D2 receptors increases the activity of the SS receptor-effector system, the effect being greater in the case of D1 receptors. These findings are consistent with a functional interaction between dopamine and SS in the rat striatum.

Dopamine enhances somatostatin receptor-mediated inhibition of adenylate cyclase in rat striatum and hippocampus

Although there is evidence that suggests that dopamine (DA) has stimulatory effects on somatostatinergic transmission, it is unknown to date if DA increases the activity of the somatostatin (SS) receptor-effector system in the rat brain. In this study, we evaluated the effects of the administration of DA and the DA D1-like (D1, D5) receptor antagonist SCH 23390 and the D2-like (D2, D3, D4) receptor antagonist spiperone on the SS receptor-adenylate cyclase (AC) system in the Sprague-Dawley rat striatum and hippocampus. An intracerebroventricular injection of DA (0.5 microgram/rat) increased the number of SS receptors and decreased their apparent affinity in the striatum and hippocampus 15 hr after its administration. The simultaneous administration of the DA receptor antagonists SCH 23390 (0.25 mg/kg, ip) and spiperone (0.1 mg/kg, ip) before DA injection partially prevented the DA-induced increase in SS binding. The administration of SCH 23390 plus spiperone alone produced a significant decrease in the number of SS receptors in both brain areas studied at 15 hr after injection, an effect that disappeared at 24 hr. The increased number of SS receptors in the DA-treated rats was associated with an increased capacity of SS to inhibit basal and forskolin (FK)-stimulated (AC) activity in the striatum and hippocampus at 15 hr after injection. This effect had disappeared at 24 hr. By contrast, basal and FK-stimulated enzyme activities were unaltered after DA injection. No significant changes in the levels of the alpha i (alpha i1 + alpha i2) subunits were found in DA-treated rats as compared with control rats. In addition, the immunodetection of the alpha i1 or alpha i2 subunits showed no significant changes in their levels in DA-treated rats when compared with controls. DA injection also induced an increase in SS-like immunoreactive content in the rat striatum but not hippocampus at 15 hr after administration and returned to control values at 24 hr. These results provide direct evidence of a functional linkage between the dopaminergic and somatostatinergic systems at the molecular level.

Immunohistochemical localization of the somatostatin SST2(A) receptor in the rat brain and spinal cord

The neuropeptide somatostatin is widely distributed in the CNS and is believed to play a role as a neurotransmitter or a neuromodulator. Somatostatin mediates its actions by the binding of the peptide to high affinity membrane receptors. The genes for five somatostatin receptor types have been cloned recently and Northern blotting and in situ hybridization studies have shown that the transcripts of all five types are expressed in the CNS. Here we report the cellular distribution of somatostatin sst2(a) receptor protein in the adult rat CNS, using a polyclonal anti-peptide antibody directed against a portion of the C-terminal domain of the receptor. The specificity of the affinity-purified antibody was demonstrated by Western blotting and immunolabelling of cells transfected with a hemagglutinin epitope-tagged version of the sst2(a) receptor. Immunohistochemistry showed a distinct distribution of the receptor protein in the rat brain. Cells and processes were labelled in a number of areas, including the basolateral amygdala, the locus coeruleus, the endopiriform nucleus, the deep layers of the cerebral cortex, the subiculum, the claustrum, the habenula, the interpenduncular nucleus, the hippocampus and the central grey. In the spinal cord, the substantia gelatinosa showed strongly-labelled cell bodies and their processes. This study provides an improved understanding of the distribution of the sst2(a) receptor in rat brain.

Somatostatin receptors in the central nervous system

Somatostatin was first identified chemically in 1973, since when much has been established about its synthesis, storage and release. It has important physiological actions, including a tonic inhibitory effect on growth hormone release from the pituitary. It has other central actions which are not well understood but recent cloning studies have identified at least five different types of cell membrane receptor for somatostatin. The identification of their genes has allowed studies on the distribution of the receptor transcripts in the central nervous system where they show distinct patterns of distribution, although there is evidence to indicate that more than one receptor type can co-exist in a single neuronal cell. Receptor selective radioligands and antibodies are being developed to further probe the exact location of the receptor proteins. This will lead to a better understanding of the functional role of these receptors in the brain and the prospect of determining the role, if any, of somatostatin in CNS disorders and the identification of potentially useful medicines.

Effect of long-term haloperidol treatment on striatal neuropeptides: relation to stereotyped behavior

Behavioral and biochemical responses to D1 and D2 dopamine (DA) agonists were used to evaluate the participation of striatal peptidergic mechanisms in the motor function alterations that attend chronic neuroleptic treatment. Rats, given haloperidol (1 mg/kg, i.c.) for 21 consecutive days, were randomly allocated to one of the following treatments: the D1 agonist SKF 38393, the D2 agonist quinpirole, their combination or saline. Stereotyped behavior and neuropeptide levels were evaluated after 5 days treatment and 4 days washout. Haloperidol increased most oral behaviors including licking, chewing and biting as well as striatal enkephalin and somatostatin levels. Subsequent treatment with SKF 38393 diminished the haloperidol-induced increase in licking and chewing; quinpirole reduced chewing behavior. The administration of both agonists together decreased chewing and biting. Neither DA agonist alone, nor their combination, reduced the haloperidol-induced increase in enkephalin levels. Both SKF 38393 and quinpirole, when given alone, tended to decrease the haloperidol-induced increase in somatostatin levels; when both D1 and D2 agonists were administered together, somatostatin levels declined significantly. These results suggest that somatostatin- but not enkephalin-containing striatal neurons contribute to the expression of haloperidol-induced stereotypies.

Dopamine-somatostatin interactions in the rat striatum: an in vivo microdialysis study

Dopamine-somatostatin interactions were investigated in the rat striatum using in vivo microdialysis. Somatostatin-14 and somatostatin-28 (10(-4), 10(-5), 10(-6) M) were infused, and the levels of dopamine and its metabolites DOPAC and HVA were assessed using high pressure liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection. Somatostatin-14 was more effective than somatostatin-28 in producing a dose-dependent increase in dopamine levels with no significant alterations in the levels of the metabolites. To assess the effect of dopamine on somatostatinergic neurons, dopaminergic agents were administered and somatostatin levels measured using a radioimmunoassay. The nonselective agonist apomorphine was administered subcutaneously (0.00, 0.05, 0.10, 0.50, 1.00 mg/kg) or directly infused (10(-4), 10(-5) M) in the striatum. The selective D1 and D2 dopamine antagonists SCH23390 and sulpiride, respectively, were also infused at concentrations of 10(-4) and 10(-5) M. None of these agents elicited any significant changes in the somatostatin release in the striatum, while altering dopamine release. This study provides for the first time evidence regarding dopamine-somatostatin interactions in the awake and freely moving animal. The results confirm that somatostatin modulates the function of dopaminergic neurons in the striatum and provide new evidence that somatostatin-14 may differentially regulate dopamine release. Furthermore, our findings suggest that dopamine does not play a major role in the regulation of somatostatin neurons.

Qualitative and quantitative detection of alkaline phosphatase coupled to an oligonucleotide probe for somatostatin mRNA after in situ hybridization using unfixed rat brain tissue

In situ hybridization (ISH) of somatostatin (SOM) mRNA was carried out on sections of rat brain using an alkaline phosphatase (AP) coupled oligonucleotide probe. Different hybridization and AP development conditions were tested for qualitative and quantitative detection of target mRNA on sections of unfixed tissue. Hybridization signal intensities after 24 h of hybridization were high. Comparison with adjacent formaldehyde-fixed tissue sections and hybridization for various lengths of time (2-42 h) indicated that in unfixed tissue retention of SOM mRNA was at least as high as after fixation, and that the mRNA was not degraded during hybridization. The use of tetranitroblue instead of nitroblue tetrazolium chloride in the AP detection medium provided a superior signal-to-noise ratio, and medium stability was improved for quantitative studies on unfixed sections by adding 10% polyvinyl alcohol at pH 8.5. Microphotometric measurements of mean optical densities (MOD) of the formazan reaction product in a defined area within individual neurons of the lateral central amygdaloid nucleus showed a linear increase over the first 23 h of AP reaction time. The mean MOD values per neuron were comparably high in various equally thick sections of the nucleus and increased with section thickness in a linear manner. The findings indicate that the ISH and detection reagents penetrate the entire section and that there is a linear relationship between the amount of AP reaction product measured and the amount of mRNA present in the measured area. Thus, ISH using an AP-coupled oligonucleotide on sections of unfixed tissue appears suitable for quantitative mRNA detection.

D2 dopamine receptor mRNA distribution in cholinergic and somatostatinergic cells of the rat caudate-putamen and nucleus accumbens

An in situ hybridization procedure that identifies cells expressing D2 dopamine receptor mRNA was combined in double-labelling studies with immunohistochemical procedures that identify cells expressing either choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) or somatostatin. D2 receptor mRNA was detected in almost all of the ChAT positive caudate-putamen cells, approximately half of the ChAT positive nucleus accumbens cells and none of the somatostatin-positive cells in either brain region.

Differences in the regional and cellular localization of c-fos messenger RNA induced by amphetamine, cocaine and caffeine in the rat

Male rats were treated i.p. with either 5 mg/kg amphetamine, 3 and 30 mg/kg cocaine or 100 mg/kg caffeine and killed after 30 min. Brains were sectioned and processed for radioactive in situ hybridization histochemistry for the labelling of either c-fos, enkephalin, substance P, neurokinin B, choline acetyltransferase, somatostatin or adenosine A2A receptor messenger RNA. The distribution of c-fos messenger RNA was investigated both at the regional level using film autoradiography, and at the cellular level using emulsion autoradiography. All drug treatments except 3 mg/kg cocaine induced an increased level of c-fos messenger RNA in cells that had a neuron-like morphology. The cells that contained the c-fos messenger RNA were identified by making pairs of 5-microns sections in which one section was processed for c-fos messenger RNA and the other was processed for one of the other messenger RNA species. After amphetamine treatment, only some 10% of the cells in the striatum were labelled, and to a variable extent. Instead there was prominent labelling of a band in the cortex that runs parallel to the cortical surface. There was also a moderate degree of labelling in the nucleus accumbens. c-fos-positive cells were substance P-positive and negative for enkephalin or A2A receptor messenger RNA. Cocaine (30 mg/kg) induced a modest labelling in the caudate-putamen, as well as in the accumbens. With cocaine treatment (30 mg/kg), about 30% of striatal neuron-like cells were c-fos labelled. Most c-fos-positive cells were substance P-positive, but none of the c-fos-positive cells were enkephalin-positive or A2A-receptor-positive. Cocaine (3 mg/kg) had no significant effect on c-fos. Caffeine gave rise to a strong hybridization signal in the caudate-putamen, particularly the dorsolateral part. No other region examined differed significantly from control. With caffeine treatment, about 73% of neuron-like cells were c-fos labelled in the lateral striatum, but labelling was much less pronounced in the medial part or in the accumbens. c-fos-labelled cells were found in enkephalin-positive and enkephalin-negative, substance P-positive and substance P-negative, neurokinin B-positive and neurokinin B-negative groups. No choline acetyltransferase-positive or somatostatin-positive cells were found that were also c-fos-positive with any of the treatments. We conclude that each of the different CNS stimulant drugs induces a highly specific pattern of c-fos messenger RNA.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Expression of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor subunit NR1 messenger RNA by identified striatal somatostatin cells

At present it is not clear whether N-methyl-D-aspartate and N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor agonists have a direct excitotoxic effect on somatostatin interneurons in rat striatum. The N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor comprises a multivariant complex encoded by a family of subunit complementary DNAs. Evidence suggests that expression of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor subunit NR1 (zeta 1) is essential for functional receptors. To investigate the expression of NR1 messenger RNA by striatal somatostatin cells, a dual in situ hybridization technique was applied to fresh frozen tissue sections. Cellular sites of NR1 and somatostatin gene expression were visualized in the same tissue section using [35S]NR1 and alkaline phosphatase-labelled somatostatin oligonucleotides. Only 8-18% of striatal somatostatin cells expressed a strong NR1 hybridization signal; most cells (> 80%) expressed a weak or undetectable signal. In contrast NR1 messenger RNA was enriched in neighbouring medium-sized non-somatostatin cells. These data suggest that while the NR1 gene is expressed in some striatal somatostatin cells most do not express a strong NR1 signal, a finding which may explain, in part, the preferential survival of somatostatin cells in Huntington's disease.

Adenosine A2a receptor mRNA is expressed by enkephalin cells but not by somatostatin cells in rat striatum: a co-expression study

The cellular co-expression of adenosine A2a receptor mRNA and preproenkephalin A (PPE A) mRNA and A2a receptor mRNA and prosomatostatin (pSRIF) mRNA in rat striatum was studied using a combination of radioactive and non-radioactive in situ hybridization techniques. Cells containing adenosine A2a receptor mRNA were visualised using an 35S-labelled oligonucleotide whilst those containing PPE A mRNA and pSRIF mRNA were detected using alkaline phosphatase-labelled antisense oligonucleotides; both radioactive and non-radioactive hybridization signals were visualized on the same tissue section. Bright field examination of striatal sections hybridized with both the [35S]adenosine A2a receptor probe and the alkaline phosphatase-labelled PPE A probe revealed dense clusters of silver grains overlying cells containing alkaline phosphatase reaction product demonstrating that the two gene transcripts were expressed by the same medium-sized nerve cells. The cellular expression of the two mRNAs was consistently found to be concordant demonstrating that adenosine A2a receptor mRNA is expressed by medium-sized striatal enkephalin cells. In contrast, clusters of silver grains were never detected overlying striatal cells containing pSRIF mRNA indicating that this population of interneurones do not express the adenosine A2a receptor sub-type. The expression of adenosine A2a receptors by enkephalin cells in striatum suggests that adenosine may play a role in modulating the activity of GABA/enkephalin striatopallidal neurones through interaction with A2a receptors.

Co-expression of dopamine transporter mRNA and tyrosine hydroxylase mRNA in ventral mesencephalic neurones

Radioactive in situ hybridization was used to map the cellular localization of dopamine (DA) transporter mRNA-containing cells in the adult rat central nervous system. The distribution of DA transporter mRNA-containing cells was compared to adjacent sections processed to visualize tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) mRNA, a marker of catecholamine containing neurones. TH mRNA-containing cells, visualized using an alkaline phosphatase labelled probe, were detected in the hypothalamus, midbrain and pons; the strongest hybridization signals being detected in the substantia nigra, ventral tegmental area and locus coeruleus. The distribution of DA transporter mRNA-containing cells was more restricted; a strong signal being detected in the substantia nigra pars compacta and ventral tegmental area only. No hybridization signal was detected in the locus coeruleus. By simultaneously hybridizing mesencephalic tissue with both the alkaline phosphatase-labelled TH probe and the 35S-labelled DA transporter probe we were able to demonstrate that both DA transporter and TH mRNAs are expressed by the same cells in the substantia nigra and ventral tegmental area. The restricted anatomical localization of DA transporter mRNA-containing cells and the lack of expression in the locus coeruleus and other adrenergic and noradrenergic cell groups confirms the DA transporter as a presynaptic marker of DA containing nerve cells in the rat brain.

Contrasting Effects of Raclopride and SCH 23390 on the Cellular Content of Preproenkephalin A mRNA in Rat Striatum: A Quantitative Non-radioactive In Situ Hybridization Study

The effects of acute i.p. administration of selective dopamine (DA) receptor antagonists on the expression of preproenkephalin A (PPE A) mRNA was investigated in the adult rat striatum. Animals were injected with either (a) a selective D1 receptor antagonist SCH 23390 (0.25 mg/kg), (b) a selective D2 receptor antagonist raclopride (5 mg/kg), or (c) SCH 23388 (0.25 mg/kg), the (S)-enantiomer of SCH 23390. Control naive animals did not receive an injection. At specific time points following drug administration (1, 3 or 9 h), rats were killed and striatal tissue processed for in situ hybridization with an alkaline phosphatase-labelled oligonucleotide probe complementary to a portion of the rat PPE A cDNA. Treatment of rats with SCH 23388 did not affect the content of PPE A mRNA expressed by striatal cells at any time point. However, 1 h after SCH 23390 administration, a significant decrease in striatal PPE A mRNA was detected, reflected by a decrease in the cellular content of mRNA. No significant changes in PPE A mRNA were detected in raclopride-treated sections at this time point. In contrast, both 3 and 9 h after an injection of raclopride a significant increase in the cellular content of PPE A mRNA was detected in the striatum. No change in the cellular content of mRNA was detected in SCH 23390-treated rats at these two latter time points. Throughout the striatum approximately 46% of neurons were found to express PPE A mRNA, with the highest percentage of cells (55%) being detected in the mid-caudal striatum. No significant differences in striatal DA content were detected with any drug treatment using HPLC electrochemical detection methods. These results demonstrate that acute administration of the DA D1 and D2 receptor antagonists has contrasting effects on the cellular content of PPE A mRNA in the adult rat striatum. These effects may reflect changes in the rate of mRNA transcription which may be mediated by cAMP.

Increase in galanin gene expression in locus coeruleus neurones of the rat following reserpine treatment

Changes in galanin mRNA content in locus coeruleus neurones of the rat were studied after reserpine treatment (10 mg/kg s.c.) using an in situ hybridization technique and an alkaline phosphatase labelled oligodeoxynucleotide probe. An increase in galanin mRNA content in locus coeruleus neurones was detected as early as 3 h after reserpine treatment when compared to vehicle injected rats. A maximal increase in mRNA content was detected at 3 days after reserpine treatment. This transient increase in galanin mRNA content had subsided by post treatment day 20. The response of locus coeruleus neurones to the single reserpine injection was heterogeneous; cells in the dorsal portion of the nucleus exhibiting a greater response than ventrally located cells.

Expression of glutamic acid decarboxylase messenger RNA in rat medial preoptic area neurones during the oestrous cycle and after ovariectomy

Evidence suggests that medial preoptic area (MPOA) neurones containing gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) are modulated directly by oestrogen. We have used an alkaline phosphatase-labelled antisense oligonucleotide probe to examine glutamic acid decarboxylase67 (GAD) mRNA expression within individual cells of the MPOA, diagonal band of Broca (DBB) and parietal cortex in rats killed at noon on each day of the oestrous cycle and after ovariectomy (n = 4-5). As a fall in extracellular GABA concentrations occurs in the MPOA on the afternoon of proestrus, the GAD67 mRNA content of cells was also examined in proestrous rats at 15:00h immediately prior to the preovulatory luteinising hormone (LH) surge. The MPOA was found to have an intermediate number of GAD67 mRNA-containing cells compared with the DBB and cortex (P less than 0.01) but expressed the lowest mean hybridisation signal (P less than 0.01). The parietal cortex had significantly fewer (P less than 0.01) GAD mRNA-containing cells than either the MPOA or DBB but these contained higher mean density of signal (P less than 0.01). The hybridisation signal for GAD mRNA was abolished by either ribonuclease pre-treatment or the use of excess non-labelled probe. No significant (P greater than 0.05) differences in GAD67 mRNA were detected in animals killed at noon throughout the oestrous cycle or after ovariectomy. On the afternoon of proestrus (15:00h) there was a significant 40% reduction in mean GAD67 mRNA content within cells of only the MPOA compared with noon (P less than 0.05). The numbers of cells in the MPOA expressing GAD67 mRNA were not significantly different.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Pertussis toxin administration increases the expression of proneurotensin and preproenkephalin A mRNAs in rat striatum

The effect of a unilateral intrastriatal microinjection of pertussis toxin on the expression of proneurotensin and preproenkephalin A mRNAs in the adult rat neostriatum was investigated using a technique of non-radioactive in situ hybridization. Control sham microinjected animals received an equal volume of vehicle only and were processed in parallel with the pertussis toxin-treated rats. All rats were allowed to recover from the stereotaxic surgery for 22 h before being killed and their brains rapidly removed and processed for in situ hybridization using alkaline phosphatase-labelled oligonucleotide probes. In comparison to sham microinjected rats, a single intrastriatal microinjection of pertussis toxin (1 microgram) resulted in a significant increase in the amount of both proneurotensin and preproenkephalin A mRNAs in the ipsilateral neostriatum. For proneurotensin mRNA, this increase was reflected by a substantial increase in the number of mRNA-containing cells detected. Proneurotensin mRNA-containing cells detected in the nucleus accumbens appeared to be unaffected by the intrastriatal pertussis toxin microinjection. In contrast, the significant increase in preproenkephalin A mRNA, when compared to the contralateral uninjected striatum and the ipsilateral striatum of control sham injected rats, was reflected by an increase in the cellular amount of preproenkephalin A mRNA and not by an increase in the number of mRNA-containing cells detected. These results demonstrate that the expression of both proneurotensin mRNA and preproenkephalin A mRNA in the adult rat striatum are rapidly increased in vivo by an intrastriatal microinjection of pertussis toxin.

Somatostatin and neuropeptide Y in organotypic slice cultures of the rat hippocampus: An immunocytochemical and in situ hybridization study

The neuronal distributions of somatostatin and neuropeptide Y and their respective mRNAs in hippocampal slice cultures were examined by immunohistochemical staining and in situ hybridization. For the in situ hybridization we used an alkaline phosphatase-labelled oligodeoxynucleotide probe for somatostatin mRNA and an 35S-labelled oligodeoxynucleotide probe for neuropeptide Y mRNA. For both neuropeptides the immunostained and hybridized neurons displayed a comparable, organotypic distribution. Most labelled neurons were located in the dentate hilus and stratum oriens of CA3 and CA1. Additional neurons were found in stratum radiatum and pyramidale of CA3, but very few in the corresponding layers of CA1. In all locations the density of somatostatin- and neuropeptide Y-reactive cells exceeded that observed in vivo. Also, the hybridization signal of the individual neurons appeared enhanced in the slice cultures. Methodologically it was noted that the non-radioactive alkaline phosphatase-labelled oligodeoxynucleotide probe gave excellent in situ hybridization results with detailed cellular resolution and no apparent problems of tissue penetration, even when used on whole-mount explants. These results demonstrate that somatostatin and neuropeptide Y-immunoreactive and mRNA containing neurons retain their organotypic distribution and basic morphological characteristics in the slice cultures. The supernormal density of these neurons and their hybridization signals indicate that a transient developmental increase in neuropeptide expression may persist in vitro.