Mu opioid receptor mRNA and protein localization across the rat and mouse habenula.

ABSTRACT: The habenula (Hb), which contains medial and lateral subdivisions (MHb and LHb, respectively), has high intensity mu opioid binding and receptor (MOR) expression, yet the details of MOR localization across these regions remains debated. MHb and LHb participate in largely non-overlapping neural circuits, therefore accurately resolving MOR expression across MHb and LHb is critical for understanding how MOR ligands impact behaviors. Here we utilized in situ hybridization (ISH) and immunocytochemistry (ICC) to systematically map Oprm1 mRNA and MOR protein throughout the habenular complex. We studied both rat and mouse tissue to evaluate conserved expression across two common research species. Importantly, we found mRNA and protein in both the MHb and LHb in both. In rat, 39 ± 3%

SUBMITTER: Popat AK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12724406 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature