IADR Abstract Archives
Expression of VNUT in Mouse Trigeminal Ganglion Cells
Objectives: Extracellular purine nucleotides are widespread signaling molecules involved in a variety of physiological and pathological processes, including pain transmission. Neurons in the trigeminal ganglion (TG) are surrounded by satellite glial cells (SGCs), which communicate with neurons through the release of ATP. However, little is known how ATP is released. To examine the ATP release mechanism, we investigated the expression of vesicular nucleotide transporter (VNUT).
Methods: VNUT mRNA expression in mouse trigeminal ganglion was examined by semi-quantitatively RT-PCR and in situ hybridization. Total RNA was isolated from the mouse TG cells, and RT-PCR was performed with the specific primers for the VNUT gene. In situ hybridization was performed on tissue fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde with digoxigenin-labeled VNUT gene-specific probes. Sense probes were generated as negative control.
Results: RT-PCR data showed that VNUT mRNA was expressed in TG cells. The expression of VNUT mRNA was found in both neurons and SGCs in TG by in situ hybridization.
Conclusions: Our results suggest that ATP is released by VNUT in neurons and SGCs, which may contribute to the communication between neurons and SGCs in TG.