Localization and ontogeny of cells expressing preprodynorphin mRNA in the rat cerebral cortex

The regional distribution of preprodynorphin (PPD) mRNA-containing cells (PPD cells) in the rat cerebral cortex was investigated by in situ hybridization histochemistry using a synthetic oligonucleotide probe. In the isocortex, PPD cells were small or medium-sized and were mainly located in layer V. While they were less numerous in the allocortex than in the isocortex. Only a few labeled cells were seen in the piriform and entorhinal cortices. In the hippocampal formation, labeled cells were observed in the granular layer of the dentate gyrus. An ontogenetic study revealed that PPD mRNA-containing cells appeared on postnatal day 7 in the isocortex and the allocortex and on day 14 in the dentate gyrus. Thereafter, they increased in number and signal intensity to reach a plateau on postnatal day 14 in both the isocortex and the allocortex and on day 35 in the dentate gyrus. The time-course of development of PPD mRNA-containing neurons in the cerebral cortex suggested that PPD-derived peptide has a neuromodulator and/or neurotransmitter role in these regions of the brain.