Light microscopic autoradiographic localization of mu and delta opioid binding sites in the mouse central nervous system

Journal Article · Tue May 01 00:00:00 EDT 1984 · J. Neurosci.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6606176

Moskowitz, A S; Goodman, R R

Much work has been done on opioid systems in the rat CNS. Although the mouse is widely used in pharmacological studies of opioid action, little has been done to characterize opioid systems in this species. In the present study the distribution of mu and delta opioid binding sites in the mouse CNS was examined using a quantitative in vitro autoradiography procedure. Tritiated dihydromorphine was used to visualize mu sites and (3H-d-Ala2-d-Leu5)enkephalin with a low concentration of morphine was used to visualize delta sites. Mu and delta site localizations in the mouse are very similar to those previously described in the rat (Goodman, R.R., S.H. Snyder, M.J. Kuhar, and W.S. Young, 3d (1980) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 77:6239-6243), with certain exceptions and additions. Mu and delta sites were observed in sensory processing areas, limbic system, extrapyramidal motor system, and cranial parasympathetic system. Differential distributions of mu and delta sites were noted in many areas. Mu sites were prominent in laminae I, IV, and VI of the neocortex, in patches in the striatum, and in the ventral pallidum, nucleus accumbens, medial and midline thalamic nuclei, medial habenular nucleus, interpeduncular nucleus, and laminae I and II of the spinal cord. In contrast, delta sites were prominent in all laminae of the neocortex, olfactory tubercle, diffusely throughout the striatum, and in the basal, lateral, and cortical nuclei of the amygdala. The determination of the differential distributions of opioid binding sites should prove useful in suggesting anatomical substrates for the actions of opiates and opioids.

• Research Organization: Brain Research Institute, University of California, Los Angeles
• OSTI ID: 6606176
• Journal Information: J. Neurosci.; (United States), Vol. 4:5
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
ENDORPHINS
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MORPHINE
AUTORADIOGRAPHY
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
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NERVE CELLS
TRITIUM COMPOUNDS
ALKALOIDS
ANALGESICS
ANIMAL CELLS
ANIMALS
AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM AGENTS
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MAMMALS
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