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Localization of kappa-opioid binding sites in the guinea pig cerebellum
1Department of Biochemistry, Imperial College of Science and Technology, University of London, U.K.
Abstract:
The cellular location of kappa-opioid binding sites in the guinea pig cerebellum has been investigated. kappa-Opioid sites were labelled using [3H]ethylketocyclazocine in the presence of mu- and delta-blocking ligands. In vitro autoradiography demonstrated that this kappa-opioid binding was localized predominantly in the molecular layer. Stereotaxic injection of the neurotoxin kainic acid into the guinea pig cerebellum produced a complete abolition of [3H]ethylketocyclazocine binding. These observations indicate that the kappa-opioid binding sites within the molecular layer of the guinea pig cerebellum are located on neuronal elements and not cerebellar astrocytes. These conclusions are in contrast with our previous observations regarding the cellular location of kappa-opioid sites in the neural lobe of the rat pituitary.