5′‐Nucleotidase: A new marker for striosomal organization in the rat caudoputamen

Abstract

The distribution of the adenosine-producing ectoenzyme 5'-nucleotidase was studied by means of a histochemical lead technique in the caudoputamen of normal adult rats and of rats in which injections either of 6-hydroxydopamine in the medial forebrain bundle or of ibotenic acid in the caudoputamen had been made 1-3 weeks previously. The patterns of striatal 5'-nucleotidase activity in these animals were compared in serial sections to the patterns of calbindin-D28k immunoreactivity and of 3H-naloxone ligand binding, which respectively mark the known matrix and striosome (patch) compartments of the caudoputamen. In the normal rats, 5'-nucleotidase activity was differentially concentrated in striosomes, where it produced a dense staining of the neuropil. The enzymatic staining followed a striosomal distribution in all but the caudal caudoputamen. Within the striatal matrix, 5'-nucleotidase staining also observed a lateromedial density gradient. Depletion of the dopamine-containing nigrostriatal innervation of the caudoputamen with 6-hydroxydopamine did not alter the striosomal selectivity of 5'-nucleotidase activity. Destruction of intrastriatal neurons by ibotenic acid led to a strongly 5'-nucleotidase-positive gliosis within the resulting necrotic region. Elsewhere in the caudoputamen, the enzyme's striosomal distribution was not detectably altered. We conclude that 5'-nucleotidase histochemistry provides an advantageous tool for detecting the striosomal architecture of the rat's caudoputamen. Moreover, 5'-nucleotidase is prominently associated with glial membranes in the central nervous system, so that the concentration of this enzyme in striosomes could mark these as sites of selective glial populations within striatum. These properties and actions of 5'-nucleotidase in purinergic neurotransmission and in neuroadhesion may contribute to the specialized functions of striosomes and matrix.

Retrograde axonal transport of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor in the adult nigrostriatal system suggests a trophic role in the adult.

“…Although it appears as if a subset of neurons can make GDNF following pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus (15), a neuronal localization of synthesis could not be determined in the developing striatum (2). However, GDNF was cloned from a glial cell line (1), and it has been demonstrated that striosomes contain specific subpopulations of glial cells characterized by their content of 5'-nucleotidase (30). It is therefore possible that such a subset of glial cells synthesize GDNF to attract and maintain GDNF-sensitive dopaminergic nerve terminals.…”

The purinergic neurotransmitter revisited: A single substance or multiple players?

“…5′Nucleotidases in particular were found at the surface membranes of axons and dendrites (Bernstein et al, 1978) and are associated with glial membranes in the central nervous system (Schoen & Graybiel, 1992). Localization of ecto-Ca-ATPase and 5′-ectonucleotidase activities was shown in caveolae of smooth muscle cells of the guinea-pig vas deferens and their role in neurotransmission has been suggested (Kittel & Bacsy, 1994).…”

Preferential localization of self-stimulation sites in striosomes/patches in the rat striatum

“…USA 95 (1998) We used calbindin immunohistochemistry to identify the two compartments in the caudoputamen based on evidence (68) that areas poor in this marker correspond to striosomes͞ patches originally identified as areas that, among other things, are poor in acetylcholinesterase (10, 11) and express opiate receptor binding (11). However, the matrix marker calbindin does not reliably stain the dorsal and lateral sectors of the middle and posterior parts of the caudoputamen in the rat (69), even though these sectors are differentiated into the two compartments by other markers (11,69). Because our ability to locate electrode tips with respect to the compartments was limited to the medial, central, and ventral areas of the caudoputamen, the present analysis is limited to these areas of the caudoputamen.…”