Direct projections from substance P-containing neurons to nitric oxide synthase-containing interneurons in the rat striatum

Neurosci Lett. 2002 Feb 1;318(3):133-6. doi: 10.1016/s0304-3940(01)02494-6.

Abstract

We reported previously that substance P (SP)-containing projection neurons (SP-PN) in the striatum emitted many axon collaterals within the striatum (J. Comp. Neurol. 388 (1997) 250), and that substantially all striatal interneurons showing immunoreactivity for nitric oxide synthase (NOS: synthetic enzyme for the freely-diffusible messenger nitric oxide) displayed immunoreactivity for SP receptor (NK1: NK-1-type tachykinin receptor; Neurosci. Lett. 310 (2001) 109). By combining immunohistochemistry for NOS with immunogold labeling for SP, the present study revealed that SP-immunoreactive axon terminals were in synaptic contact with NOS-immunoreactive aspiny neurons in the rat striatum, indicating that SP-PN in the striatum sent their axon collaterals to nitric oxide synthase-expressing interneurons (NOS-IN) in the striatum. On the basis of these present and previous data, possible synaptic and non-synaptic interactions between SP-PN and NOS-IN in the striatum were discussed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Dendrites / metabolism
  • Dendrites / ultrastructure
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Interneurons / enzymology*
  • Interneurons / ultrastructure
  • Male
  • Microscopy, Confocal
  • Microscopy, Electron
  • Neostriatum / enzymology*
  • Neostriatum / ultrastructure
  • Neural Pathways / enzymology*
  • Neural Pathways / ultrastructure
  • Nitric Oxide / metabolism*
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase / metabolism*
  • Presynaptic Terminals / enzymology*
  • Presynaptic Terminals / ultrastructure
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Substance P / metabolism*
  • Synaptic Transmission / physiology

Substances

  • Nitric Oxide
  • Substance P
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase