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Li J, Li E, Czepielewski RS, Chi J, Guo X, Han YH, Wang D, Wang L, Hu B, Dawes B, Jacobs C, Tenen D, Lin SJ, Lee B, Morris D, Tobias A, Randolph GJ, Cohen P, Tsai L, Rosen ED. Neurotensin is an anti-thermogenic peptide produced by lymphatic endothelial cells. Cell Metab 2021; 33:1449-1465.e6. [PMID: 34038712 PMCID: PMC8266750 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmet.2021.04.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2020] [Revised: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The lymphatic vasculature plays important roles in the physiology of the organs in which it resides, though a clear mechanistic understanding of how this crosstalk is mediated is lacking. Here, we performed single-cell transcriptional profiling of human and mouse adipose tissue and found that lymphatic endothelial cells highly express neurotensin (NTS/Nts). Nts expression is reduced by cold and norepinephrine in an α-adrenergic-dependent manner, suggesting a role in adipose thermogenesis. Indeed, NTS treatment of brown adipose tissue explants reduced expression of thermogenic genes. Furthermore, adenoviral-mediated overexpression and knockdown or knockout of NTS in vivo reduced and enhanced cold tolerance, respectively, an effect that is mediated by NTSR2 and ERK signaling. Inhibition of NTSR2 promoted energy expenditure and improved metabolic function in obese mice. These data establish a link between adipose tissue lymphatics and adipocytes with potential therapeutic implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering and School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Erwei Li
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Rafael S Czepielewski
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Jingyi Chi
- Laboratory of Molecular Metabolism, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Xiao Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering and School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yong-Hyun Han
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Daqing Wang
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Luhong Wang
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Bo Hu
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Brian Dawes
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Christopher Jacobs
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Danielle Tenen
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Samuel J Lin
- Division of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Bernard Lee
- Division of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Donald Morris
- Division of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Adam Tobias
- Division of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Gwendalyn J Randolph
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Paul Cohen
- Laboratory of Molecular Metabolism, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Linus Tsai
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Broad Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Evan D Rosen
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Broad Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA.
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2
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Chartier M, Desgagné M, Sousbie M, Rumsby C, Chevillard L, Théroux L, Haroune L, Côté J, Longpré JM, Boudreault PL, Marsault É, Sarret P. Pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic profiles of a neurotensin receptor type 2 (NTS2) analgesic macrocyclic analog. Biomed Pharmacother 2021; 141:111861. [PMID: 34229249 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2021.111861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2021] [Revised: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The current opioid crisis highlights the urgent need to develop safe and effective pain medications. Thus, neurotensin (NT) compounds represent a promising approach, as the antinociceptive effects of NT are mediated by activation of the two G protein-coupled receptor subtypes (i.e., NTS1 and NTS2) and produce potent opioid-independent analgesia. Here, we describe the synthesis and pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties of the first constrained NTS2 macrocyclic NT(8-13) analog. The Tyr11 residue of NT(8-13) was replaced with a Trp residue to achieve NTS2 selectivity, and a rationally designed side-chain to side-chain macrocyclization reaction was applied between Lys8 and Trp11 to constrain the peptide in an active binding conformation and limit its recognition by proteolytic enzymes. The resulting macrocyclic peptide, CR-01-64, exhibited high-affinity for NTS2 (Ki 7.0 nM), with a more than 125-fold selectivity over NTS1, as well as an improved plasma stability profile (t1/2 > 24 h) compared with NT (t1/2 ~ 2 min). Following intrathecal administration, CR-01-64 exerted dose-dependent and long-lasting analgesic effects in acute (ED50 = 4.6 µg/kg) and tonic (ED50 = 7.1 µg/kg) pain models as well as strong mechanical anti-allodynic effects in the CFA-induced chronic inflammatory pain model. Of particular importance, this constrained NTS2 analog exerted potent nonopioid antinociceptive effects and potentiated opioid-induced analgesia when combined with morphine. At high doses, CR-01-64 did not cause hypothermia or ileum relaxation, although it did induce mild and short-term hypotension, all of which are physiological effects associated with NTS1 activation. Overall, these results demonstrate the strong therapeutic potential of NTS2-selective analogs for the management of pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magali Chartier
- Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada.
| | - Michael Desgagné
- Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada.
| | - Marc Sousbie
- Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada.
| | - Charles Rumsby
- Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada.
| | | | - Léa Théroux
- Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada.
| | - Lounès Haroune
- Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada.
| | - Jérôme Côté
- Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada.
| | - Jean-Michel Longpré
- Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada.
| | - Pierre-Luc Boudreault
- Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada.
| | - Éric Marsault
- Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada.
| | - Philippe Sarret
- Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada.
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3
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Chartier M, Desgagné M, Sousbie M, Côté J, Longpré JM, Marsault E, Sarret P. Design, Structural Optimization, and Characterization of the First Selective Macrocyclic Neurotensin Receptor Type 2 Non-opioid Analgesic. J Med Chem 2021; 64:2110-2124. [PMID: 33538583 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c01726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Neurotensin (NT) receptor type 2 (NTS2) represents an attractive target for the development of new NT-based analgesics. Here, we report the synthesis and functional in vivo characterization of the first constrained NTS2-selective macrocyclic NT analog. While most chemical optimization studies rely on the NT(8-13) fragment, we focused on NT(7-12) as a scaffold to design NTS2-selective macrocyclic peptides. Replacement of Ile12 by Leu, and Pro7/Pro10 by allylglycine residues followed by cyclization via ring-closing metathesis led to macrocycle 4, which exhibits good affinity for NTS2 (50 nM), high selectivity over NTS1 (>100 μM), and improved stability compared to NT(8-13). In vivo profiling in rats reveals that macrocycle 4 produces potent analgesia in three distinct rodent pain models, without causing the undesired effects associated with NTS1 activation. We further provide evidence of its non-opioid antinociceptive activity, therefore highlighting the strong therapeutic potential of NTS2-selective analogs for the management of acute and chronic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magali Chartier
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Université de Sherbrooke, 3001 12e Avenue Nord, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1H 5N4, Canada
| | - Michael Desgagné
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Université de Sherbrooke, 3001 12e Avenue Nord, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1H 5N4, Canada
| | - Marc Sousbie
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Université de Sherbrooke, 3001 12e Avenue Nord, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1H 5N4, Canada
| | - Jérôme Côté
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Université de Sherbrooke, 3001 12e Avenue Nord, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1H 5N4, Canada
| | - Jean-Michel Longpré
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Université de Sherbrooke, 3001 12e Avenue Nord, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1H 5N4, Canada
| | - Eric Marsault
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Université de Sherbrooke, 3001 12e Avenue Nord, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1H 5N4, Canada
| | - Philippe Sarret
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Université de Sherbrooke, 3001 12e Avenue Nord, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1H 5N4, Canada
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4
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Gonzalez S, Dumitrascuta M, Eiselt E, Louis S, Kunze L, Blasiol A, Vivancos M, Previti S, Dewolf E, Martin C, Tourwé D, Cavelier F, Gendron L, Sarret P, Spetea M, Ballet S. Optimized Opioid-Neurotensin Multitarget Peptides: From Design to Structure-Activity Relationship Studies. J Med Chem 2020; 63:12929-12941. [PMID: 32902268 PMCID: PMC7667639 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c01376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2020] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Fusion of nonopioid pharmacophores, such as neurotensin, with opioid ligands represents an attractive approach for pain treatment. Herein, the μ-/δ-opioid agonist tetrapeptide H-Dmt-d-Arg-Aba-β-Ala-NH2 (KGOP01) was fused to NT(8-13) analogues. Since the NTS1 receptor has been linked to adverse effects, selective MOR-NTS2 ligands are preferred. Modifications were introduced within the native NT sequence, particularly a β3-homo amino acid in position 8 and Tyr11 substitutions. Combination of β3hArg and Dmt led to peptide 7, a MOR agonist, showing the highest NTS2 affinity described to date (Ki = 3 pM) and good NTS1 affinity (Ki = 4 nM), providing a >1300-fold NTS2 selectivity. The (6-OH)Tic-containing analogue 9 also exhibited high NTS2 affinity (Ki = 1.7 nM), with low NTS1 affinity (Ki = 4.7 μM), resulting in an excellent NTS2 selectivity (>2700). In mice, hybrid 7 produced significant and prolonged antinociception (up to 8 h), as compared to the KGOP01 opioid parent compound.
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MESH Headings
- Amino Acid Sequence
- Animals
- Disease Models, Animal
- Drug Design
- Humans
- Male
- Mice
- Oligopeptides/chemistry
- Oligopeptides/metabolism
- Oligopeptides/therapeutic use
- Pain/drug therapy
- Pain/pathology
- Peptides/chemistry
- Peptides/metabolism
- Peptides/therapeutic use
- Protein Binding
- Receptors, Neurotensin/chemistry
- Receptors, Neurotensin/metabolism
- Receptors, Opioid, delta/agonists
- Receptors, Opioid, delta/metabolism
- Receptors, Opioid, mu/agonists
- Receptors, Opioid, mu/metabolism
- Structure-Activity Relationship
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Gonzalez
- Research
Group of Organic Chemistry, Departments of Chemistry and Bioengineering
Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Maria Dumitrascuta
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy and Center for
Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Emilie Eiselt
- Department
of Pharmacology and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences,
Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Université de Sherbrooke, J1H 5N4 Sherbrooke, Canada
| | - Stevany Louis
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy and Center for
Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Linda Kunze
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy and Center for
Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Annalisa Blasiol
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy and Center for
Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Mélanie Vivancos
- Department
of Pharmacology and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences,
Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Université de Sherbrooke, J1H 5N4 Sherbrooke, Canada
| | - Santo Previti
- Research
Group of Organic Chemistry, Departments of Chemistry and Bioengineering
Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Elke Dewolf
- Research
Group of Organic Chemistry, Departments of Chemistry and Bioengineering
Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Charlotte Martin
- Research
Group of Organic Chemistry, Departments of Chemistry and Bioengineering
Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Dirk Tourwé
- Research
Group of Organic Chemistry, Departments of Chemistry and Bioengineering
Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Florine Cavelier
- Institut
des Biomolécules Max Mousseron, UMR 5247, CNRS, Université de Montpellier, ENSCM, 34095 Montpellier, France
| | - Louis Gendron
- Department
of Pharmacology and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences,
Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Université de Sherbrooke, J1H 5N4 Sherbrooke, Canada
| | - Philippe Sarret
- Department
of Pharmacology and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences,
Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Université de Sherbrooke, J1H 5N4 Sherbrooke, Canada
| | - Mariana Spetea
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy and Center for
Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Steven Ballet
- Research
Group of Organic Chemistry, Departments of Chemistry and Bioengineering
Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
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5
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Normandeau CP, Torruella Suárez ML, Sarret P, McElligott ZA, Dumont EC. Neurotensin and dynorphin Bi-Directionally modulate CeA inhibition of oval BNST neurons in male mice. Neuropharmacology 2018; 143:113-121. [PMID: 30248304 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2018.09.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2018] [Revised: 09/13/2018] [Accepted: 09/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Neuropeptides are often co-expressed in neurons, and may therefore be working together to coordinate proper neural circuit function. However, neurophysiological effects of neuropeptides are commonly studied individually possibly underestimating their modulatory roles. Here, we triggered the release of endogenous neuropeptides in brain slices from male mice to better understand their modulation of central amygdala (CeA) inhibitory inputs onto oval (ov) BNST neurons. We found that locally-released neurotensin (NT) and dynorphin (Dyn) antagonistically regulated CeA inhibitory inputs onto ovBNST neurons. NT and Dyn respectively increased and decreased CeA-toovBNST inhibitory inputs through NT receptor 1 (NTR1) and kappa opioid receptor (KOR). Additionally, NT and Dyn mRNAs were highly co-localized in ovBNST neurons suggesting that they may be released from the same cells. Together, we showed that NT and Dyn are key modulators of CeA inputs to ovBNST, paving the way to determine whether different conditions or states can alter the neuropeptidergic regulation of this particular brain circuit.
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Affiliation(s)
- C P Normandeau
- Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | - M L Torruella Suárez
- Program in Neurobiology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA
| | - P Sarret
- Department of Pharmacology & Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
| | - Z A McElligott
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies and Departments of Psychiatry and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA
| | - E C Dumont
- Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada.
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6
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Identification of Neurotensin Receptor Expressing Cells in the Ventral Tegmental Area across the Lifespan. eNeuro 2018; 5:eN-NWR-0191-17. [PMID: 29464190 PMCID: PMC5815659 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0191-17.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2017] [Revised: 01/15/2018] [Accepted: 01/25/2018] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurotensin (Nts) promotes activation of dopamine (DA) neurons in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) via incompletely understood mechanisms. Nts can signal via the G protein-coupled Nts receptors 1 and 2 (NtsR1 and NtsR2), but the lack of methods to detect NtsR1- and NtsR2-expressing cells has limited mechanistic understanding of Nts action. To overcome this challenge, we generated dual recombinase mice that express FlpO-dependent Cre recombinase in NtsR1 or NtsR2 cells. This strategy permitted temporal control over recombination, such that we could identify NtsR1- or NtsR2-expressing cells and determine whether their distributions differed between the developing and adult brain. Using this system, we found that NtsR1 is transiently expressed in nearly all DA neurons and in many non-DA neurons in the VTA during development. However, NtsR1 expression is more restricted within the adult brain, where only two thirds of VTA DA neurons expressed NtsR1. By contrast, NtsR2 expression remains constant throughout lifespan, but it is predominantly expressed within glia. Anterograde tract tracing revealed that NtsR1 is expressed by mesolimbic, not mesocortical DA neurons, suggesting that VTA NtsR1 neurons may represent a functionally unique subset of VTA DA neurons. Collectively, this work reveals a cellular mechanism by which Nts can directly engage NtsR1-expressing DA neurons to modify DA signaling. Going forward, the dual recombinase strategy developed here will be useful to selectively modulate NtsR1- and NtsR2-expressing cells and to parse their contributions to Nts-mediated behaviors.
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