Somatostatin, cholecystokinin and neuropeptide Y mRNAs in normal and weaver mouse brain

• Published in: Journal of neural transmission Vol. 109; no. 11; pp. 1337 - 1351
• Main Authors: ZAVITSANOU, K, TRIARHOU, L. C, KOUVELAS, E. D, MITSACOS, A, PALACIOS, J. M, MENGOD, G
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wien Springer 01-11-2002; New York, NY Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Brain - metabolism; Central nervous system; Central neurotransmission. Neuromudulation. Pathways and receptors; Cholecystokinin - analysis; Cholecystokinin - genetics; Disease Models, Animal; Dopamine - deficiency; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; In Situ Hybridization; Mice; Mice, Neurologic Mutants; Neuropeptide Y - analysis; Neuropeptide Y - genetics; RNA, Messenger - analysis; Somatostatin - analysis; Somatostatin - genetics; Up-Regulation; Vertebrates: nervous system and sense organs; Neuropeptide Y; Vertebrata; Mammalia; Mouse; Rodentia; Central nervous system; Cholecystokinin; Somatostatin; Gene expression; Neuropeptide; Brain (vertebrata)
• ISSN: 0300-9564; 1435-1463
• DOI: 10.1007/s00702-002-0759-7

The distribution of mRNAs encoding for somatostatin, cholecystokinin and neuropeptide Y was determined by in situ hybridization histochemistry in the weaver (wv/wv) mouse, a model of dopamine deficiency as well as in normal (+/+) controls. Weaver mutants did not show any appreciable departure from the normal pattern of expression for mRNA encoding for neuropeptide Y. In contrast, an 82% increase in mRNA encoding for somatostatin was observed in the reticular thalamic nucleus, whereas increases in the order of 20-87% were observed in different hypothalamic nuclei of the weaver brain. In addition, a 47-103% increase of the hybridization signal encoding for cholecystokinin was observed in the cerebral cortex, hippocampus and thalamus of the weaver brain. It can be assumed that the elevated and region-specific somatostatin and cholecystokinin levels observed in the weaver brain may be due to a secondary or compensatory response under conditions of altered neurotransmitter levels.