skip to content
Dovepress - Open Access to Scientific and Medical Research
View our mobile site

8799

VGLUT1 mRNA and protein expression in the visual system of prosimian galagos (Otolemur garnetti)

Original Research

(420) Views  (98) Full article downloads

Authors: Balaram P, Hackett TA, Kaas JH

Published Date December 2011 Volume 2011:3 Pages 81 - 98
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2147/EB.S23007

Pooja Balaram1, Troy A Hackett2, Jon H Kaas1
1Department of Psychology, Vanderbilt University, 2Department of Hearing and Speech Sciences, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA

Abstract: The presynaptic storage and release of glutamate, an excitatory neurotransmitter, is modulated by a family of transport proteins known as vesicular glutamate transporters. Vesicular glutamate transporter 1 (VGLUT1) is widely distributed in the central nervous system of most mammalian and nonmammalian species, and regulates the uptake of glutamate into synaptic vesicles as well as the transport of filled glutamatergic vesicles to the terminal membrane during excitatory transmission. In rodents, VGLUT1 mRNA is primarily found in the neocortex, cerebellum, and hippocampus, and the VGLUT1 transport protein is involved in intercortical and corticothalamic projections that remain distinct from projections involving other VGLUT isoforms. With the exception of a few thalamic sensory nuclei, VGLUT1 mRNA is absent from subcortical areas and does not colocalize with other VGLUT mRNAs. VGLUT1 is similarly restricted to a few thalamic association nuclei and does not colocalize with other VGLUT proteins. However, recent work in primates has shown that VGLUT1 mRNA is also found in several subcortical nuclei as well as cortical areas, and that VGLUT1 may overlap with other VGLUT isoforms in glutamatergic projections. In order to expand current knowledge of VGLUT1 distributions in primates and gain insight on glutamatergic transmission in the visual system of primate species, we examined VGLUT1 mRNA and protein distributions in the lateral geniculate nucleus, pulvinar complex, superior colliculus, V1, V2, and the middle temporal area (MT) of prosimian galagos. We found that, similar to other studies in primates, VGLUT1 mRNA and protein are widely distributed in both subcortical and cortical areas. However, glutamatergic projections involving VGLUT1 are largely limited to intrinsic connections within subcortical and cortical areas, as well as the expected intercortical and corticothalamic projections. Additionally, VGLUT1 expression in galagos allowed us to identify laminar subdivisions of the superior colliculus, V1, V2, and MT.

Keywords: excitatory neurotransmitter, vesicular glutamate transporters, glutamatergic projections, lateral geniculate nucleus, pulvinar complex, superior colliculus





 

Other articles by Miss Pooja Balaram



Readers of this article also read:

Role of aliskiren in cardio-renal protection and use in hypertensives with multiple risk factors
Moyamoya disease with neuro-ophthalmic manifestations: a rare case report
VGLUT2 mRNA and protein expression in the visual thalamus and midbrain of prosimian galagos (Otolemur garnetti)
Perception of risk and benefit in patient-centered communication and care
Steroid response pattern and outcome of pediatric idiopathic nephrotic syndrome: a single-center experience in northwest Iran
The relationship between deliberate self-harm behavior, body dissatisfaction, and suicide in adolescents: current concepts
Zinc oxide nanoparticles as selective killers of proliferating cells
Cumulative clinical experience from over a decade of use of levofloxacin in community-acquired pneumonia: critical appraisal and role in therapy
Wide-field fundus autofluorescence corresponds to visual fields in chorioretinitis patients
Emerging treatments for essential thrombocythemia
  • Testimonials

    "... I was impressed at the rapidity of publication from submission to final acceptance." Dr Edwin Thrower, PhD, Yale University