Localization of Vasopressin (V_1a) Receptor Binding and mRNA in the Rhesus Monkey Brain

Abstract

Centrally released arginine vasopressin (AVP) has been associated with various behavioural and cognitive effects, such as scent marking, aggression, and memory, which are believed to be mediated by the V1a subtype of the vasopressin receptor. Although the distribution of V1a receptors is conserved in a few brain regions, the pattern of expression of this receptor is, in general, highly species-specific. We have used receptor autoradiography with the linear V1a receptor ligand (125I-Phenylacetyl-D-Tyr(Me)-Phe-Gln-Asn-Arg-Pro-Arg-Tyr-NH2) to characterize the pattern of receptor binding in the rhesus monkey brain. Brain sites of V1a receptor synthesis were defined using in-situ hybridization. The regions of highest V1a receptor density included the prefrontal, cingulate, pyriform, and entorhinal cortex, as well as the presubiculum and mamillary bodies. In addition, V1a receptor binding and mRNA were detected in several regions reported to have V1a receptor in most rodents, including the amygdala, bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, lateral septum, hypothalamus and the brainstem. The distribution is consistent with a role for vasopressin in higher cognitive functions, especially memory, in primates.

Neuropeptide binding reflects convergent and divergent evolution in species-typical group sizes

“…However, it is also possible that birds possess two or more VT receptors in the brain, with one type being more similar to the mammalian V 1a receptor (which would be selectively targeted by the linear 125 I-V 1a antagonist). Finally, as in the estrildid finches examined here, robust binding for the linear 125 I-V 1a antagonist is typically observed in the mammalian LS, with large differences in density occurring across species (Insel, 1992;Insel et al, 1994;Wang et al, 1997;Young et al, 1997Young et al, , 1999Bester-Meredith et al, 1999). …”

“…Incubation concentrations and durations for each peptide were: 125 I-SG, 30 pM for 60 min; 125 I-VIP, 50 pM for 90 min; and linear 125 I-V 1a antagonist, 50 pM for 75 min. Concentrations were selected through pilot testing using a range of concentrations from the literature, and are similar to those used in previous investigations (e.g., Hof et al, 1991;Young et al, 1999;Bakshi et al, 2002). For 125 I-SG binding, slides were then rinsed 2 × 4 min in icecold Tris-MgCl 2 buffer, dipped in distilled water and dried under a cool stream of air.…”

“…Monogamous mice, voles and monkeys reliably exhibit higher densities of vasopressin (VP) V 1a receptors in the ventral pallidum than do non-monogamous comparators (Insel, 1992;Insel et al, 1994;Wang et al, 1997;Young et al, 1997Young et al, , 1999Bester-Meredith et al, 1999; this area was identified as the diagonal band in some earlier reports; see , and a variety of functional studies clearly demonstrate that these receptors are key to the expression of selective partner preference (Pitkow et al, 2001;). In this case, then, divergence and convergence in behavior is reliably associated with divergence and convergence in an underlying neural mechanism.…”

Neural circuits underlying crying and cry responding in mammals

“…Both oxytocin and vasopressin have been localized to the amygdala, both with respect to receptors and to the effects of these neuropeptides on specific neuronal populations, e.g., [38] and [125]. Oxytocin in the medial amygdala has also been implicated in the processes underlying early social recognition in mice [27].…”

The Mouse Defense Test Battery: pharmacological and behavioral assays for anxiety and panic

“…In these latter regions, arginine vasopressin exerts a neuromodulatory role via an action on specific receptors, i.e. V 1a and V 1b (Lolait et al, 1995;Vaccari et al, 1998;Young et al, 1999), which are widely distributed in the central nervous system (Lolait et al, 1995;Morel et al, 1992). Several findings suggest that arginine vasopressin may be involved in the modulation of emotional processes primarily via the V 1b receptor subtype.…”