Neuronal localization of cholecystokinin mRNA in the rat brain by using in situ hybridization histochemistry

Abstract

The distribution of cholecystokinin (CCK) mRNA in the rat brain was determined by means of in situ hybridization histochemistry. Our results demonstrate a widespread distribution of neurons containing CCK mRNA throughout the rat brain. Hybridization-positive neurons were distributed throughout the neocortex, olfactory bulb, claustrum, amygdala, the dentate gyrus and hippocampus proper, and several subnuclei of the thalamus and the hypothalamus. The most abundant and most heavily labeled neurons were found in the endopiriform/piriform cortex, tenia tecta, and the ventral tegmental area. The distribution of neurons positive for CCK mRNA paralleled that of CCK-like immunoreactive neurons. These results detail the distribution of CCK mRNA and clearly identify the existence of CCK-synthesizing neurons in regions such as the paraventricular and supraoptic nuclei of the hypothalamus, where the presence of CCK cell bodies was previously uncertain.

Activation of Amygdala CholecystokininBReceptors Potentiates the Acoustic Startle Response in the Rat

“…Consistent with this, CCK B receptors are found throughout the amygdala and, in particular, are highly concentrated in the lateral, basolateral, and cortical nuclei of the amygdala (Larssen and Rehfeld, 1979;McDonald, 1985;Vanderhaeghen, 1985;Ingram et al, 1989;Schiffmann and Vanderhaeghen, 1991;Pu et al, 1994). In contrast, when both injection cannulae were located dorsal, ventral, medial, or lateral to the amygdala, infusions of pentagastrin had no effect on startle responses.…”

“…The amygdala plays a critical role in mediating the behavioral and autonomic responses to fear and anxiety and, in particular, the potentiation of startle by "fear"-or "anxiety"-evoking stimuli (see, for example, Davis, 1992). Furthermore, CCK-containing neurons are distributed throughout the amygdaloid complex and, in particular, are concentrated in the lateral, basolateral, and cortical nuclei of the amygdala (Larssen and Rehfeld, 1979;McDonald, 1985;Vanderhaeghen, 1985;Ingram et al, 1989;Schiffmann and Vanderhaeghen, 1991;Pu et al, 1994).…”

Cholecystokinin Modulates Migration of Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone-1 Neurons

“…CCK-expressing cells have been described throughout sensory systems in the CNS and PNS, including visual, gustatory, and olfactory systems (Kuljis et al, 1984;Miceli et al, 1987;Hokfelt et al, 1988;Savasta et al, 1988;Ingram et al, 1989;Schiffmann and Vanderhaeghen, 1991;Herness et al, 2002). In the olfactory system, CCK-containing neurons in olfactory bulb, anterior olfactory nucleus, and piriform cortex have been reported (Ingram et al, 1989;Schiffmann and Vanderhaeghen, 1991;Liu and Shipley, 1994).…”

Regulation by the neuropeptide cholecystokinin (CCK-8S) of protein phosphorylation in the neostriatum.

“…The gut hormone cholecystokinin (CCK) (6) is present in the brain (7) mainly in the form of its sulfated C-terminal octapeptide (CCK-8S) (8). It has a wide distribution as shown by radioimmunoassay (9), immunohistochemistry (10,11), and in situ hybridization (12). CCK-8S, like glutamate, exerts excitatory actions on target neurons (13,14) and there is evidence not only for glutamatergic (15) but also for CCKergic (16)(17)(18)(19) corticostriatal pathways in the brain.…”