Localization of cytochrome oxidase (COX) activity and COX mRNA in the perirhinal and superior temporal sulci of the monkey brain

Abstract

Cytochrome oxidase (COX) activity and COX II mRNA expression were localizedin the perirhinal and superior temporal sulci of the rhesus monkey brain. In both regions, a laminar distribution of COX activity and COX II mRNA was observed. COX activity was intense in layers I and IV and were localized to the neuropil. In contrast, COX II mRNA was localized to neuronal cell bodies. In the prorhinal region, highest levels of COX II mRNA was detected in cell bodies of layers II and IV, and in the perirhinal region, in cell bodies of layers III and V–VI. In the superior temporal sulcus, COX II mRNA was detected in cell bodies of layers III and V–VI. Thus, COX II mRNA and COX activity are uniquely localized in the cortical layers and to those neurons that support cortico-cortical connections.