Abstract
Dopamine is a major neurotransmitter in the arterial chemoreceptor pathway. In the present study we wished to determine if messenger RNAs for dopamine D1 and D2 receptor are expressed in carotid body (type I cells), in sensory neurons of the petrosal ganglion which innervate the carotid body and in sympathetic neurons of the superior cervical ganglion. We failed to detect D1 receptor mRNA in any of these tissues. However, we found that D2 receptor mRNA was expressed by dopaminergic carotid body type I cells. D2 receptor mRNA was also found in petrosal ganglion neurons that innervated the carotid sinus and carotid body. In addition, a large number of sympathetic postganglionic neurons in the superior cervical ganglion expressed D2 receptor mRNA.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 31-39 |
Number of pages | 9 |
Journal | Journal of the Autonomic Nervous System |
Volume | 41 |
Issue number | 1-2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Nov 1992 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Carotid body
- Dopamine
- Dopamine receptor
- Petrosal ganglion
- Superior cervical ganglion
- mRNA
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Neuroscience
- Physiology
- Clinical Neurology