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Immunocytochemical mapping and quantification of expression of a putative type 1 serotonin receptor in the crayfish nervous system
Author(s) -
Spitzer Nadja,
Antonsen Brian L.,
Edwards Donald H.
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
journal of comparative neurology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.855
H-Index - 209
eISSN - 1096-9861
pISSN - 0021-9967
DOI - 10.1002/cne.20456
Subject(s) - biology , crayfish , serotonin , neuroscience , nervous system , receptor , 5 ht receptor , ecology , genetics
Serotonin is an important neurotransmitter that is involved in modulation of sensory, motor, and higher functions in many species. In the crayfish, which has been developed as a model for nervous system function for over a century, serotonin modulates several identified circuits. Although the cellular and circuit effects of serotonin have been extensively studied, little is known about the receptors that mediate these signals. Physiological data indicate that identified crustacean cells and circuits are modulated via several different serotonin receptors. We describe the detailed immunocytochemical localization of the crustacean type 1 serotonin receptor, 5‐HT 1crust , throughout the crayfish nerve cord and on abdominal superficial flexor muscles. 5‐HT 1crust is widely distributed in somata, including those of several identified neurons, and neuropil, suggesting both synaptic and neurohormonal roles. Individual animals show very different levels of 5‐HT 1crust immunoreactivity (5‐HT 1crust ir) ranging from preparations with hundreds of labeled cells per ganglion to some containing only a handful of 5‐HT 1crust ir cells in the entire nerve cord. The interanimal variability in 5‐HT 1crust ir is great, but individual nerve cords show a consistent level of labeling between ganglia. Quantitative RT‐PCR shows that 5‐HT 1crust mRNA levels between animals are also variable but do not directly correlate with 5‐HT 1crust ir levels. Although there is no correlation of 5‐HT 1crust expression with gender, social status, molting or feeding, dominant animals show significantly greater variability than subordinates. Functional analysis of 5‐HT 1crust in combination with this immunocytochemical map will aid further understanding of this receptor's role in the actions of serotonin on identified circuits and cells. J. Comp. Neurol. 484:261–282, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.