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Localization of Neuropeptide Y Y1 mRNA in the Human Brain: Abundant Expression in Cerebral Cortex and Striatum
Author(s) -
Caberlotto Laura,
Fuxe Kjell,
Sedvall Göran,
Hurd Yasmin L.
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
european journal of neuroscience
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.346
H-Index - 206
eISSN - 1460-9568
pISSN - 0953-816X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1460-9568.1997.tb01476.x
Subject(s) - striatum , subiculum , human brain , cerebrum , dentate gyrus , in situ hybridization , nucleus accumbens , biology , receptor , medicine , endocrinology , cerebral cortex , basal ganglia , hippocampus , neuroscience , messenger rna , central nervous system , dopamine , gene , biochemistry
Many neurobiological functions have been ascribed to the NPY Y1 receptor subtype, but autoradiographic analysis has failed to detect Y1 binding sites in most human brain areas, in contrast to the rat. We examined the regional distribution of Y1 mRNA‐containing cells in the post‐mortem human brain to clarify if there is a major species difference in terms of the existence of Y1 receptors in the human telencephalon, in particular the striatum and cortex. In situ hybridization experiments revealed widespread distribution of Y1 mRNA signals in all layers of most limbic and neocortical regions, predominantly in layer IV (most cortical regions) and layer VI. The striatum showed moderate Y1 receptor mRNA expression levels with intensely expressing cells localized to the nucleus accumbens. The highest Y1 receptor mRNA expression was apparent within the dentate gyrus, and the lowest in the subiculum, parahippocampal gyrus, cerebellum, and thalamus. In vitro autoradiography using [ 125 I]Leu 31 Pro 34 ‐PYY and [ 125 I]PYY with NPY (13–36) or Leu 31 Pro 34 NPY; confirmed the presence of low Y1–like binding in the human brain despite abundant Y1 mRNA expression. However, using a rat model of the human autopsy process, it was apparent that the inability to reveal high Y1– versus Y2–like receptors in the human brain was related in part to marked reductions of Y1–like, but not Y2–like, receptors within a 4 h post‐mortem delay. Altogether, the results indicate that the Y1 receptor gene is abundant in the human brain and this receptor may have important roles in cognitive, limbic and motor function.