Alpha-bungarotoxin binding in relation to functional organization of the rat suprachiasmatic nucleus

[125I]alpha-Bungarotoxin (alpha-Btx) binding was quantified in autoradiographs of in vitro labeled sections through the rat suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN). Recent evidence suggests that acetylcholine and alpha-Btx binding sites in the SCN region may mediate effects of light on circadian functions. In...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Brain research Vol. 407; no. 1; p. 9
Main Authors:	Fuchs, J L, Hoppens, K S
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	Netherlands 24-03-1987
Subjects:	alpha7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Animals Autoradiography Circadian Rhythm Light Male Ocular Physiological Phenomena Rats Receptors, Cholinergic - metabolism Receptors, Nicotinic Suprachiasmatic Nucleus - cytology Suprachiasmatic Nucleus - metabolism
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Summary:	[125I]alpha-Bungarotoxin (alpha-Btx) binding was quantified in autoradiographs of in vitro labeled sections through the rat suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN). Recent evidence suggests that acetylcholine and alpha-Btx binding sites in the SCN region may mediate effects of light on circadian functions. In contrast to the ventrolateral termination of retinal axons, there was a consistent pattern of relatively high alpha-Btx binding levels in the dorsolateral SCN and low levels in the ventromedial SCN. In addition, enucleation had little or no effect. We also investigated the possibility that phase-dependent influences of light on circadian functions could reflect the presence of light-induced or daily rhythms in alpha-Btx binding. Animals were tested in a light-dark cycle or after 1-2 days in constant light. The dorsolateral SCN showed a small but significant decline of alpha-Btx binding in animals in light at night compared to darkness at night. alpha-Btx binding in the SCN showed no statistically significant daily variation in animals in the light-dark cycle.
ISSN:	0006-8993
DOI:	10.1016/0006-8993(87)91214-5