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Vesicular monoamine transporter‐2: Immunogold localization in striatal axons and terminals
Author(s) -
Nirenberg Melissa J.,
Chan June,
Liu Yongjian,
Edwards Robert H.,
Pickel Virginia M.
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
synapse
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.809
H-Index - 106
eISSN - 1098-2396
pISSN - 0887-4476
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1098-2396(199706)26:2<194::aid-syn10>3.0.co;2-y
Subject(s) - vesicular monoamine transporter 2 , vesicular monoamine transporter , immunogold labelling , monoamine neurotransmitter , synaptic vesicle , substantia nigra , striatum , vesicular transport protein , dopaminergic , biology , vesicle , dopamine , synapse , microbiology and biotechnology , neuroscience , tyrosine hydroxylase , dopamine transporter , biochemistry , anatomy , ultrastructure , serotonin , receptor , membrane
The vesicular monoamine transporter‐2 (VMAT2) mediates the reserpinesensitive neuronal uptake of monoamines into vesicles and other intracellular organelles. Accordingly, this transporter is expressed at high levels in regions that contain a dense monoamine innervation, such as the rat dorsolateral striatum. We used ultrastructural immunocytochemistry in this region to show that immunogold labeling for VMAT2 is present in varicose axonal processes, many of which also contain the catecholamine‐synthesizing enzyme tyrosine‐hydroxylase. Within these mainly dopaminergic processes, VMAT2 was associated with small synaptic vesicles (SSVs) and more rarely with large dense‐core vesicles or tubulovesicles. These findings suggest that SSVs are the major organelles involved in the storage and release of dopamine in the dorsolateral striatum. Synapse 26:194–198, 1997. © 1997 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.