Abstract
In situ hybridization histochemistry reveals localized expression of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) α2 subunit mRNA restricted to the lateral spiriform nucleus cleus (SpL) of the chick diencephalon. The α2 nAChR transcripts are not detected in immature SpL neurons at 4.5-5 days of embryonic development. They begin to accumulate in the SpL at embryonic day 11 and increase until the newborn stage. Specific α2 cDNA amplification by the polymerase chain reaction shows that during this period, the absolute content of α2 mRNA increases about 20-fold. The expression of the α2 nAChR gene is thus developmentally regulated and appears concomitant with the entry of cholinergic fibers into the SpL, as demonstrated by choline acetyltransferase immunohistochemistry.
Published Version
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