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Published in: Brain Structure and Function 3/2022

01-04-2022 | Original Article

Subcellular localization of D2 receptors in the murine substantia nigra

Authors: Joseph J. Lebowitz, Mason Trinkle, James R. Bunzow, Judith Joyce Balcita-Pedicino, Savas Hetelekides, Brooks Robinson, Santiago De La Torre, Sue A. Aicher, Susan R. Sesack, John T. Williams

Published in: Brain Structure and Function | Issue 3/2022

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Abstract

G-protein-coupled D2 autoreceptors expressed on dopamine neurons (D2Rs) inhibit transmitter release and cell firing at axonal endings and somatodendritic compartments. Mechanistic details of somatodendritic dopamine release remain unresolved, partly due to insufficient information on the subcellular distribution of D2Rs. Previous studies localizing D2Rs have been hindered by a dearth of antibodies validated for specificity in D2R knockout animals and have been limited by the small sampling areas imaged by electron microscopy. This study utilized sub-diffraction fluorescence microscopy and electron microscopy to examine D2 receptors in a superecliptic pHlourin GFP (SEP) epitope-tagged D2 receptor knockin mouse. Incubating live slices with an anti-SEP antibody achieved the selective labeling of plasma membrane-associated receptors for immunofluorescent imaging over a large area of the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc). SEP-D2Rs appeared as puncta-like structures along the surface of dendrites and soma of dopamine neurons visualized by antibodies to tyrosine hydroxylase (TH). TH-associated SEP-D2Rs displayed a cell surface density of 0.66 puncta/µm2, which corresponds to an average frequency of 1 punctum every 1.50 µm. Separate ultrastructural experiments using silver-enhanced immunogold revealed that membrane-bound particles represented 28% of total D2Rs in putative dopamine cells within the SNc. Structures immediately adjacent to dendritic membrane gold particles were unmyelinated axons or axon varicosities (40%), astrocytes (19%), other dendrites (7%), or profiles unidentified (34%) in single sections. Some apposed profiles also expressed D2Rs. Fluorescent and ultrastructural analyses also provided the first visualization of membrane D2Rs at the axon initial segment, a compartment critical for action potential generation. The punctate appearance of anti-SEP staining indicates there is a population of D2Rs organized in discrete signaling sites along the plasma membrane, and for the first time, a quantitative estimate of spatial frequency is provided.
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Metadata
Title
Subcellular localization of D2 receptors in the murine substantia nigra
Authors
Joseph J. Lebowitz
Mason Trinkle
James R. Bunzow
Judith Joyce Balcita-Pedicino
Savas Hetelekides
Brooks Robinson
Santiago De La Torre
Sue A. Aicher
Susan R. Sesack
John T. Williams
Publication date
01-04-2022
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
Brain Structure and Function / Issue 3/2022
Print ISSN: 1863-2653
Electronic ISSN: 1863-2661
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00429-021-02432-3

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