Abundance and location of DARPP-32 in striato-tegmental circuits of domestic chicks.

TitleAbundance and location of DARPP-32 in striato-tegmental circuits of domestic chicks.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2004
AuthorsBálint E, Kitka T, Zachar G, Adám A, Hemmings HC, Csillag A
JournalJ Chem Neuroanat
Volume28
Issue1-2
Pagination27-36
Date Published2004 Sep
ISSN0891-0618
KeywordsAnimals, Chickens, Corpus Striatum, Dopamine and cAMP-Regulated Phosphoprotein 32, Nerve Net, Nerve Tissue Proteins, Phosphoproteins, Ventral Tegmental Area
Abstract

The striatum is reciprocally connected to the brainstem dopaminergic nuclei and receives a strong dopaminergic input. In the present study the spatial relation between the dopaminergic and dopaminoceptive structures of the avian medial striatum (formerly: lobus parolfactorius) was observed by confocal laser scanning microscope in the domestic chick (Gallus domesticus). We also analysed the connections in the area ventralis tegmentalis and the substantia nigra. To label the dopaminergic structures, anti-tyrosine hydroxylase was used and DARPP-32 (dopamine and cAMP regulated phosphoprotein) was a marker of dopaminoceptive elements. The tyrosine hydroxylase positive fibres formed baskets of juxtapositions around the DARPP-32 containing cells of the medial striatum. However, such baskets were also observed to juxtapose DARPP-32 immunonegative cells. In the tegmentum, DARPP-32 was observed in axons descending from the telencephalon via the ansa lenticularis. These varicose fibers innervated the ventral tegmental area and substantia nigra and were often juxtaposed to dopaminergic neurons and dendrites. Approximately 40% of the striatal projection neurons targeting the ventral tegmentum, and 60% of striatal projection neurons targeting the nigra were immunoreactive to DARPP-32, as revealed by retrograde pathway tracing with Fast Blue. Endogenous dopamine may exert a retrograde synaptic effect on the afferent striato-tegmental fibers, apart from the reported extrasynaptic action. The abundance of juxtapositions observed in the avian brainstem and medial striatum corroborates the possibility of reciprocal striato-tegmental circuits, relevant to the reinforcement of behaviour.

DOI10.1016/j.jchemneu.2004.05.006
Alternate JournalJ. Chem. Neuroanat.
PubMed ID15363488
Grant ListMH40899 / MH / NIMH NIH HHS / United States