Co-expression of TrkB and TrkC receptors in CNS neurones suggests regulation by multiple neurotrophins.

Using double-label in situ hybridization, we have explored the possibility that individual CNS neurones can co-express mRNAs for the high-affinity receptors of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and neurotrophin-3, TrkB and TrkC, respectively. The vast majority of TrkC mRNA-containing neurones in the hippocampal formation and cerebral cortex were also labelled for TrkB mRNA. Cells expressing only TrkB or TrkC mRNA were very scarce in these regions, representing < 15% of all labelled cells. These findings suggest that the same cortical or hippocampal neurone can be regulated by several members of the neurotrophin family, which may be important both during development and in response to physiological activity and pathological conditions.