Gene expression analysis reveals dense dopamine transporter mRNA localization in specific ventral midbrain neurons, highlighting heterogeneous transporter expression across dopaminergic cell groups.
Oligonucleotides and a full-length cDNA encoding a functional dopamine transporter (DAT1) hybridize to a 3.7 kb mRNA that is concentrated in mRNA prepared from midbrain and absent in specimens from cerebellum or cerebral cortex. In situ hybridization reveals substantial hybridization densities overlying neurons of the substantia nigra, pars compacta, and the parabrachialis pigmentosus region of the ventral tegmental area (VTA). Neurons in the linear and paranigral VTA regions display lower levels of expression. Preliminary studies in arcuate neurons suggest modest hybridization. Different dopaminergic cell groups display different levels of DAT1 dopamine transporter expression.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Shimada et al. (1992) studied this question.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: