Expression and colocalization patterns of calbindin-D28k, calretinin and parvalbumin in the rat hypothalamic arcuate nucleus

Publication date: November 2014 Source:Journal of Chemical Neuroanatomy, Volumes 61–62 Author(s): Kylie S. Foo , Arash Hellysaz , Christian Broberger Calcium binding proteins (CaBPs) form a diverse group of molecules that function as signal transducers or as intracellular buffers of Ca2+ concentration. They have been extensively used to histochemically categorize cell types throughout the brain. One region which has not yet been characterized with regard to CaBP expression is the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus, which plays a vital role in neuroendocrine control and the central regulation of energy metabolism. Using in situ hybridization and immunofluorescence, we have investigated the cellular distribution of the three CaBPs, calbindin-D28k (CB), calretinin (CR) and parvalbumin (PV) in the rat arcuate nucleus. Both mRNA and immunoreactivity was detected in the arcuate nucleus for CB – located in the medial aspects – and CR – located ventrolaterally. No PV mRNA was detected in the arcuate nucleus. Immunofluorescence results for PV were ambiguous; while one antibody detected a group of cell somata, a different antibody failed to visualize any arcuate nucleus cell profiles. Using double-labeling, neither of the examined CaBPs were observed in cells immunoreactive for the signaling molecules agouti gene-related protein, tyrosine hydroxylase, neurotensin, growth hormone-releasing hormone, somatostatin, enkephalin, dynorphin or galanin. We did, however, observe CB- and...
Source: Journal of Chemical Neuroanatomy - Category: Neuroscience Source Type: research