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Subtle heterogeneity of high-affinity choline transporter expression and localization in limbic projections of the cholinergic brainstem tegmentum

Holmstrand, Ericka C. (2011) Subtle heterogeneity of high-affinity choline transporter expression and localization in limbic projections of the cholinergic brainstem tegmentum. Doctoral Dissertation, University of Pittsburgh. (Unpublished)

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Abstract

The high-affinity choline transporter (CHT) supplies the substrate, choline, for the synthesis of acetylcholine (ACh) within cholinergic neurons. Choline uptake mediated by this protein has been studied for over 30 years and many of the regulatory mechanisms governing its function are well characterized. Early studies, as well as more recent investigations, focused on specific populations of cholinergic axons in the brain, namely the cholinergic innervations of cortical, striatal, and hippocampal regions. Details of the expression and subcellular localization of the high-affinity choline transporter within the projections of the pedunculopontine (PPT) and laterodorsal (LDT) tegmental cholinergic neurons have not been examined. The studies described herein compare the cholinergic axons within two limbic regions that are innervated by the ascending projections from these brainstem nuclei. These experiments were designed to characterize: 1) the relative amount and pattern of subcellular localization of the high-affinity choline transporter protein in the axon varicosities of this projection system; 2) the co-expression of the high-affinity choline transporter and the vesicular acetylcholine transporter in these two populations of axon varicosities; and 3) the organization and possible collateralized projections of the cholinergic neurons that provide cholinergic innervation to these regions. The results of these studies indicate that the expression and localization of the high-affinity choline transporter differs only subtly across brain regions innervated by the brainstem tegmental cholinergic neurons, and suggest that these differences may be accounted for by a pattern of specific innervation arising from distinct subsets of pedunculopontine and laterodorsal tegmental cholinergic neurons.


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Details

Item Type: University of Pittsburgh ETD
Status: Unpublished
Creators/Authors:
CreatorsEmailPitt UsernameORCID
Holmstrand, Ericka C.holmstrandec@gmail.com
ETD Committee:
TitleMemberEmail AddressPitt UsernameORCID
Committee ChairSesack, Susan Rsesack@pitt.eduSESACK
Committee MemberGrace, Anthony AgraceAA@.pitt.edu
Committee MemberMoghaddam, Bitabita@pitt.eduBITA
Committee MemberCard, J. Patrickcard@pitt.eduCARD
Committee MemberWinn, Philip
Committee MemberSweet, Robert Asweetra@upmc.eduSWEET
Date: 30 January 2011
Date Type: Completion
Defense Date: 21 September 2010
Approval Date: 30 January 2011
Submission Date: 7 October 2010
Access Restriction: 5 year -- Restrict access to University of Pittsburgh for a period of 5 years.
Institution: University of Pittsburgh
Schools and Programs: Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences > Neuroscience
Degree: PhD - Doctor of Philosophy
Thesis Type: Doctoral Dissertation
Refereed: Yes
Uncontrolled Keywords: acetylcholine; brainstem tegmentum; choline; neuroanatomy; transporter
Other ID: http://etd.library.pitt.edu/ETD/available/etd-10072010-152013/, etd-10072010-152013
Date Deposited: 10 Nov 2011 20:02
Last Modified: 19 Dec 2016 14:37
URI: http://d-scholarship.pitt.edu/id/eprint/9445

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