engleski

FOXP1 and nNOS neuronal populations in the adult human, mouse and rat subthalamic nucleus

Introduction: The subthalamic nucleus (STN) is a subcortical structure which is an important part of the basal ganglia circuitry. nNOS is an enzyme which produces nitric oxide, a neurotransmitter implicated in learning, memory, and brain plasticity. FOXP1 is a transcription factor whose deficiency causes FOXP1 syndrome – a neurodevelopmental disorder associated with intellectual disability, language deficits and autism. Aims: Besides its role in motor control, STN is significantly involved in cognitive and limbic processes in the brain. Because of the importance of NO and FOXP1 in these processes, the aim of our study was to determine the quantity and spatial distribution of FOXP1 and nNOS-IR neurons in the adult human, mouse and rat subthalamic nucleus. Methods: We performed immunofluorescent double-labelling with antibodies for FOXP1 and nNOS proteins, with HuC/HuD antibody (a pan-neuronal marker) on STN sections of FFPE adult human, mouse, and rat brains. Immunofluorescent slides were imaged using confocal microscopy and used to quantify the colocalization. Results: We show that in mouse, the FOXP1 and nNOS populations are clearly separated and almost non- overlapping. FOXP1 neurons group on the antero- ventral portion of STN, while nNOS neurons group on the postero-dorsal portion. In rat, the populations are still separated but overlapping and colocalizing in the center. In human, the populations are partially colocalizing and they are not spatially separated but rather intermixed and dispersed evenly throughout the STN. Conclusions: This study shows FOXP1 and nNOS expression in the mammalian subthalamic nucleus and may explain the STN involvement in cognitive and limbic processes.

subthalamic nucleus, FOXP1, nNOS

nije evidentirano