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Localization of endogenous morphine‐like compounds in the mouse spinal cord
Author(s) -
Laux Alexis,
Delalande François,
Mouheiche Jinane,
Stuber Denise,
Van Dorsselaer Alain,
Bianchi Enrica,
Bezard Erwan,
Poisbeau Pierrick,
Goumon Yannick
Publication year - 2012
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.22811
Subject(s) - morphine , endogeny , spinal cord , central nervous system , gabaergic , codeine , neuroscience , pharmacology , biology , chemistry , biochemistry , inhibitory postsynaptic potential
Morphine, codeine, morphine‐6‐glucuronide, and morphine‐3‐glucuronide are synthesized de novo in mammalian cells and in the central nervous system. Knowledge on endogenous morphine‐like compound distribution in the adult mouse brain has been recently improved, and new hypotheses have been suggested about the potential implications in brain physiology. Endogenous morphine‐like compounds have been shown to be synthesized in the spinal cord, but their localization is unknown. Here we describe the distribution of endogenous morphine‐like compounds (morphine and/or its glucuronides and/or codeine) in the adult mouse spinal cord using a well‐validated antibody. By using different microscopy approaches, we found the presence of morphine, codeine, or morphine glucuronides in γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA)‐ergic neurons and astrocytes of the spinal cord. Whereas GABAergic neurons containing endogenous morphine‐like compounds were located primarily in the ventral horn, astrocytes that were labeled for morphine‐like compounds were found throughout the gray matter and the white matter. Our study demonstrates the possibility that endogenous morphine‐like compounds in the central nervous system have other functions beyond their analgesic functions. J. Comp. Neurol. 520:1547–1561, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.