ORCID Profile
0000-0001-9808-9688
Current Organisation
IRCCS S. Lucia Foundation – Rome Italy.
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Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 06-12-2014
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 02-2008
DOI: 10.1016/J.NEUROSCIENCE.2007.11.027
Abstract: Ionotropic purinergic receptors (P2XR) are ATP-gated cationic channels composed of seven known subunits (P2X(1-7)R) and involved in different functions in neural tissue. Although their presence has been demonstrated in the brain, few studies have investigated their expression pattern. In particular, ionotropic purinergic receptor subunit type 1 (P2X(1)R) has been observed in the cerebellum and in brainstem nuclei. The present study investigates the P2X(1)R expression pattern in the rat forebrain using immunohistochemistry. The specificity of the immunolabeling has been verified by Western blotting and in situ hybridization methods. P2X(1)R immunoreactivity was specifically localized in neurons, dendrites and axons throughout the forebrain. Characteristic differences in the distribution of P2X(1)R were observed in different cortical areas. In prefrontal, cingulate and perirhinal cortices, very intense labeling was present in neuronal bodies. In frontal, parietal, temporal and occipital cortices, immunostaining was lighter and mainly found in dendrites and axons. The hippoc al formation was intensely labeled. Labeling was present almost exclusively in dendrites and axons and never in neuronal bodies. The diencephalon was devoid of P2X(1)R positive neurons or fibers except for the medial habenular nucleus, which showed very intense P2X(1)R immunostaining. Furthermore, two subcortical regions, namely, the nucleus centralis of the amygdala and the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, showed intense P2X(1)R neuronal labeling. Present data indicate that P2X(1)R are prevalent in forebrain areas involved in the integration of cognitive, limbic and autonomic functions.
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 02-01-2016
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 2006
DOI: 10.1002/CNE.21013
Abstract: Neurophysiologic data suggest that orexin neurons are directly excited by ATP through purinergic receptors (P2XR). Anatomical studies, though reporting P2XR in the hypothalamus, did not describe it in the perifornical hypothalamic area, where orexinergic neurons are located. Here we report the presence of the P2X(2)R subunit in the rat perifornical hypothalamus and demonstrate that hypothalamic orexin neurons express the P2X(2)R. Double immunohistochemistry showed that virtually all orexin-immunoreactive neurons are also P2X(2)R immunoreactive, whereas 80% of P2X(2)R-immunoreactive neurons are also orexin positive. Triple-labeling experiments, combining fluorescence in situ hybridization for P2X(2)R mRNA and P2X(2)R/orexin double immunofluorescence, confirmed these findings. In addition, in situ hybridization demonstrated that P2X(2)R mRNA is localized in cellular processes of orexinergic neurons. The present data support neurophysiologic findings on ATP modulation of orexinergic function and provide direct evidence that the entire population of orexin neurons expresses a P2XR subtype, namely, P2X(2)R. Thus, purinergic transmission might intervene in modulating key functions known to be controlled by the orexinergic system, such as feeding behavior and arousal.
Location: Italy
No related grants have been discovered for Marco Molinari.