Localization of α2A- and α2B-adrenergic receptor subtypes in brain

• Published in: Hypertension (Dallas, Tex. 1979) Tex. 1979), 1996-03, Vol.27 (3), p.449-455
• Main Authors: TAVARES, A, HANDY, D. E, BOGDANOVA, N. N, ROSENE, D. L, GABRAS, H
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Central nervous system; Central neurotransmission. Neuromudulation. Pathways and receptors; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Vertebrates: nervous system and sense organs
• ISSN: 0194-911X; 1524-4563
• DOI: 10.1161/01.hyp.27.3.449

Abstract Recent studies have shown that all three subtypes of α 2 -adrenergic receptor (α 2 -AR) are found in brain. The purpose of this study was to map the subtype localization of the α 2A - and α 2B -ARs in brain structures. RNase protection shows that both the α 2A - and α 2B -ARs are detectable in cortex, cerebellum, pons-medulla, and hypothalamus. We tested probes derived from the α 2A - and α 2B -AR cDNAs on cell lines that express each of the α 2 -AR subtypes to establish the subtype specificity of these probes for in situ hybridization. Then we used the α 2A - and α 2B -AR probes for in situ hybridization on sagittal and coronal sections of rat brain. Both α 2A and α 2B mRNA were detected throughout the brain. Overall, there appears to be a greater expression of message for α 2A - than α 2B -AR in most brain areas, with the exception of the thalamus. Developing these probes for in situ hybridization is an important step for further studies on the exact role of the α 2 -AR subtypes in neurons that modulate cardiovascular function.