Subpopulations of neurons in rat substantia nigra display GABA BR2 receptor immunoreactivity

Abstract

A functional gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) B receptor is the first metabotropic receptor known to be composed of two heteromeric subunits, GABA BR1 and GABA BR2. Our previous report [Neuroscience 99 (2000) 65] has demonstrated that subpopulations of neurons in the rat substantia nigra display distinct patterns of distribution of GABA BR1 receptor immunoreactivity. A robust level of GABA BR1 receptor is only found in the dopaminergic neurons of the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc). The objective of the present study was to determine the precise cellular localization of GABA BR2 subunit in the rat substantia nigra using double immunofluorescence. Neuropilar elements in the SNc and the substantia nigra pars reticulata (SNr) were found to display GABA BR2 immunoreactivity. In addition, the tyrosine hydroxylase-immunoreactive dopaminergic neurons and the parvalbumin-immunoreactive GABAergic neurons in the SNr were also found to display GABA BR2 immunoreactivity. The present results thus demonstrate that a functional GABA B receptor may be expressed by the dopaminergic neurons in the SNc. It is less clear whether neurons in the SNr express a functional GABA B receptor. The present findings have important functional implications in GABA neurotransmission in the substantia nigra.