Expression in brain sensory neurons of the transgene in transgenic mice carrying human tyrosine hydroxylase gene.

We have recently reported the production of transgenic (Tg) mice carrying the human tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) gene, and have described tissue-specific expression of the transgene in catecholaminergic (CAergic) neurons and adrenal glands. This paper describes the transgene expression in non-catecholaminergic (nCAergic) neurons in the brain of Tg mice by immunocytochemistry and in situ hybridization. In adult Tg mice, human TH was atypically expressed in the olfactory (typically, the anterior olfactory nucleus and pyriform cortex) and visual (typically, n. suprachiasmaticus and n. parabigeminalis) systems, in addition to typical CAergic neuron-rich nuclei in the brain. These results suggest the possibility that TH plays some novel roles in sensory systems.