Abstract
In this study, we aimed to determine the presence as well as the diverse distribution of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) and non-NMDA glutamate receptor subunits in the rat red nucleus. Using adult Sprague-Dawley rats as the experimental animals, immunohistochemistry was performed on 30 µm thick coronal brain sections with antibodies against α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (GluA1-4), kainate (GluK1, GluK2/3, and GluK5), and NMDA (GluN1 and GluN2A) receptor subunits. The results showed that all ionotropic glutamate receptor subunits are expressed in the red nucleus. Specific staining was localized in the neuron bodies and processes. However, the pattern of immunoreactivity and the number of labeled neurons changed depending on the type of ionotropic glutamate receptor subunits and the localization of neurons in the red nucleus. The neurons localized in the magnocellular part of the red nucleus were particularly immunopositive for GluA2, GluA4, GluK2/3, GluK5, GluN1, and GluN2A receptor proteins. In the parvocellular part of the red nucleus, ionotropic glutamate receptor subunit immunoreactivity of variable intensity (lightly to moderately stained) was detected in the neurons. These results suggest that red nucleus neurons in rat heterogeneously express ionotropic glutamate receptor subunits to form functional receptor channels. In addition, the likelihood of the coexpression of different subunits in the same subgroup of neurons suggests the formation of receptor channels with diverse structure by way of different subunit combination, and the possibility of various neuronal functions through these channels in the red nucleus.
Highlights
In vertebrates with limbs, red nucleus (Latin nucleus ruber) is an important part of central motor system and participates in maintaining body posture and controlling limb movements [1,2,3,4]
The results showed that all ionotropic glutamate receptor subunits were expressed in the red nucleus (Figures 1-3)
The neurons localized in the magnocellular part of the red nucleus were immunopositive for GluA2, GluA4, GluK2/3, GluK5, GluN1, and GluN2A antibodies
Summary
In vertebrates with limbs, red nucleus (Latin nucleus ruber) is an important part of central motor system and participates in maintaining body posture and controlling limb movements [1,2,3,4]. In rats, red nucleus is located on either side of the midbrain tegmentum and comprised of two parts: The parvocellular part (RPC) and the magnocellular part (RMC). RMC and RPC serve different functions in the red nucleus [2,4]. The magnocellular part of the red nucleus is involved in movements such as scratching or locomotion [2], in addition to the control of learned motor skills in rat [8,10]. Less is known about the role of the parvocellular part, it is suggested that RPC is implicated in the automatization of learned movements [10] or in antinociceptive functions [5]
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