ABSTRACT
Glutamate acts as the excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain and is mediated largely by the vesicular glutamate transporters (VGLUTs). The objective of the study was to determine the distribution of VGLUT2 mRNA in the turtle brain by in situ hybridization. Intense expression was observed in the olfactory bulb, cerebral cortex, nucleus dorsomedialis thalami, nucleus dorsolateralis thalami, dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus, nucleus reuniens and nucleus periventricularis hypothalami. Moderate expression was noticed in the nucleus rotundus, area lateralis hypothalami, reticular nucleus, cerebellar nucleus and nucleus cochlearis. In conclusion, this study reveals many glutamatergic neurons in the turtle brain.
Subject(s)
Brain/metabolism , Glutamic Acid/metabolism , Neurons/metabolism , Neurotransmitter Agents/metabolism , RNA, Messenger/genetics , Turtles/anatomy & histology , Vesicular Glutamate Transport Protein 2/genetics , Animals , Brain/cytology , Cerebral Cortex/metabolism , Geniculate Bodies/metabolism , In Situ Hybridization , Mediodorsal Thalamic Nucleus/metabolism , Midline Thalamic Nuclei/metabolism , Neurons/cytology , Olfactory Bulb/metabolismABSTRACT
DNA analysis is currently being applied to many solid tumors to determine DNA content and synthesis phase fraction. We compared DNA content measured by flow cytometry with multiple histologic parameters in 155 squamous cell carcinomas of the upper aerodigestive tract. Abnormal DNA content (aneuploidy) was identified in 107 (69%) of the neoplasms. Abnormal DNA content or aneuploidy correlated with above-median synthesis phase fraction and increased frequency of mitotic figures. Other histologic features predicting aggressive tumor behavior also correlated with abnormal DNA content and included small cords or single cell pattern of tumor invasion, high nuclear grade, and decreased stromal or desmoplastic response to the invading squamous cell carcinoma.
