Gene expression of angiotensin II receptor subtypes in the cerebellar cortex of young rats

Both AT1 and AT2 receptors were detected in the cerebellar cortex of 2-week-old rats by [125I]Sar1-angiotensin II binding. In contrast, using in situ hybridization histochemistry we found only AT1A and AT1B but not AT2 receptor mRNA in the cerebellar cortex of young rats. Expression of AT1A and AT1B receptor mRNA coding for either receptor subtype was found in the molecular or granular cell layers. Our results suggest that AT1 receptors may be located on dendrites of Purkinje cells expressing AT1A and AT1B receptor mRNA, whereas the AT2 receptor binding in the molecular layer may be located on nerve terminals of fibers projecting to the cerebellar, cortex from distant areas.