CELLULAR-DISTRIBUTION OF THE MESSENGER-RNA FOR THE KAPPA-OPIOID RECEPTOR IN THE HUMAN NEOCORTEX - A NONISOTOPIC IN-SITU HYBRIDIZATION STUDY

Opioid receptors (OR) provide primary interaction sites of the human b rain with opiates. Presently kappa-OR mRNA expression was studied in d ifferent cortical areas (A4, A10, A17) by in situ hybridization using digoxigenin-labeled oligonucleotides and an alkaline phosphatase-media ted color reaction. kappa-OR mRNA was expressed mainly in layers II/II I and V pyramidal and layer VI multiform neurons. A4 giant pyramidal a nd A17 giant stellate neurons stood out labeled. These findings fit in with our data on kappa-OR protein distribution. Combined cellular ass essment of protein and mRNA will enable the study kappa-OR expression under physiological and pathological conditions.