Subtypes y1 and y2 of the neuropeptide y receptor are respectively expressed in pro-opiomelanocortin- and neuropeptide-y-containing neurons of the rat hypothalamic arcuate nucleus

Christian Broberger, Marc Landry, Helen Wong, John N. Walsh, Tomas Hökfelt
Neuroendocrinology. 1997-01-01; 66(6): 393-408
DOI: 10.1159/000127265

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1. Neuroendocrinology. 1997 Dec;66(6):393-408.

Subtypes Y1 and Y2 of the neuropeptide Y receptor are respectively expressed in
pro-opiomelanocortin- and neuropeptide-Y-containing neurons of the rat
hypothalamic arcuate nucleus.

Broberger C(1), Landry M, Wong H, Walsh JN, Hökfelt T.

Author information:
(1)Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.

The arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus houses a number of neurochemically
different cell populations. Among these, a dense cluster of small neuropeptide-Y
(NPY)-expressing neurons is located in its ventromedial subdivision and a
pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC)-expressing neuron population in its ventrolateral
part. Furthermore, both neuropeptide Y Y1 and Y2 receptors (Y1-Rs and Y2-Rs) are
expressed in the arcuate nucleus. Here we analyse the co-expression of NPY and
POMC/adrenocorticotropic hormone with the Y1-R and Y2-R in arcuate neurons using
immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization. Many, but not all, POMC neurons
expressed Y1-R mRNA and protein. Conversely, several Y1-R-positive, POMC-negative
neurons were found. NPY-positive nerve terminals were found in close apposition
to Y1-R-like immunoreactivity localized close to the dendritic and somatic cell
membranes. Y2-R mRNA was found in almost all NPY mRNA-expressing neurons, but
also in a group of NPY mRNA-negative cells. These results show that the POMC
neurons are targets for NPY, which is presumably present in, and released from,
fibres originating in the ventromedial arcuate nucleus and which may play a role
in NPY-induced feeding. Release of NPY, and possible coexisting messengers, may
be controlled by presynaptic Y2-R expressed in NPY neurons. Taken together, the
findings support the division of Y1-Rs and Y2-Rs into post- and presynaptic
receptors, respectively.

DOI: 10.1159/000127265
PMID: 9430445 [Indexed for MEDLINE]

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