Excitatory and inhibitory amino acid neurotransmitter binding sites in the cerebellar cortex of the pigeon (Columba livia)

Abstract

We used receptor autoradiography to determine the distribution of excitatory and inhibitory amino acid neurotransmitter binding sites in the cerebellar cortex of the pigeon (Columba livia). [alpha]-Amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionic acid, kainate and metabotropic binding sites had highest levels in the molecular layer. N-methyl--aspartate binding sites, assayed with both [3H]glutamate under selective conditions and with [3H]glycine binding to the associated strychnine-insensitive glycine site, had highest levels in the granule cell layer. There was little specific binding of the non-competitive N-methyl--aspartate antagonist, [3H]MK-801. The level of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-A binding sites was higher than GABA-B binding sites in both molecular and granule cell layers with the highest level of GABA-A sites in the granule cell layer. The highest level of GABA-B binding sites was in the molecular layer. [3H]Flunitrazepam binding levels were approximately the same in both molecular and granule cell layers. With the exception of kainate binding sites, the distribution of binding sites was identical to that seen in the cerebellar cortex of mammals. Our results support the concept that the chemoarchitecture of the cerebellar cortex has been conserved in the course of vertebrate evolution.