Changes in D2 but not D1 receptor binding in the striatum following a selective lesion of striatopallidal neurons.

We have used the immunotoxin OX7/saporin, a suicide transport agent, to selectively lesion striatopallidal neurons. Following injection of OX7/saporin into the globus pallidus, in situ hybridization for preproenkephalin mRNA was examined in the striatum to confirm successful retrograde neurotoxicity. Comparison of D1 and D2 receptor binding in the striatum demonstrated that D2 but not D1 receptor binding sites are localized to striatopallidal neurons.