Premium
Preferential localization of neural cell recognition molecule NB‐2 in developing glutamatergic neurons in the rat auditory brainstem
Author(s) -
Toyoshima Manabu,
Sakurai Kunie,
Shimazaki Kuniko,
Takeda Yasuo,
Nakamoto Masatoshi,
Serizawa Shou,
Shimoda Yasushi,
Watanabe Kazutada
Publication year - 2009
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.21972
Subject(s) - superior olivary complex , inferior colliculus , glutamatergic , lateral lemniscus , trapezoid body , neuroscience , biology , brainstem , immunolabeling , cochlear nucleus , nucleus , dorsal cochlear nucleus , anatomy , glutamate receptor , immunohistochemistry , biochemistry , receptor , immunology
NB‐2 is a neuronal cell recognition molecule that is preferentially expressed in auditory pathways. Mice deficient in the NB ‐ 2 gene exhibit aberrant responses to acoustic stimuli. Here we examined the expression and localization of NB‐2 in the auditory brainstem during development in the rat. NB‐2 was strongly expressed in the ventral cochlear nucleus (VCN), ventral acoustic stria, lateral and medial superior olivary complex (SOC), superior paraolivary nucleus, medial nucleus of the trapezoid body (MNTB), ventrolateral lemniscus, and central nucleus of the inferior colliculus (CIC). In the VCN and CIC, NB‐2 was expressed in the regions that are known to respond to high frequencies. In situ hybridization combined with immunohistochemistry suggested that NB‐2 is expressed only in neurons. NB‐2 was colocalized with glutamatergic elements in the neuropil and the calyces of Held but not with glycinergic or GABAergic elements. NB‐2 expression in the SOC was first detected at embryonic day (E)19, reached a maximum level at postnatal day (P)7, and declined thereafter. Immunolabeling with VGLUT1 and VGLUT2, markers for mature and premature glutamatergic synapses, respectively, in combination with NB‐2 immunolabeling revealed that NB‐2 is expressed at glutamatergic synapses. Collectively, our findings suggest that NB‐2 plays a key role in maturation of glutamatergic synapses in the brainstem during the final stages of auditory development. J. Comp. Neurol. 513:349–362, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.