Transport of a nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunit in axonal systems

The effect of neural lesions upon the distribution of a neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunit was investigated in the chick nervous system. Following unilateral retinal lesions, the neuropil staining with an antibody against the Beta2 receptor subunit was dramatically reduced or completely eliminated in all retinorecipient structures. Lesions of the lateral spiriform nucleus, a major Beta2 subunit-containing mesencephalic nucleus, produced a marked reduction of neuropil staining in the deeper layers of the tectum, which represent the main target of that nucleus. The present results indicate that the Beta2 subunit is transported in axonal systems, and might therefore constitute presynaptic receptors in some brain areas.