Fig. 3

Protein markers differentiate SNc DA neurons that project to the dorsal striatum, but not VTA DA neurons that project to the NAc m.shell vs. core. a. Expression of Sncg (green) and Otx2 (blue) was assessed in VTA DA neurons that projected to the NAc m.shell or core or SNc DA neurons that projected the dorsal striatum (red). While ~ 50% of NAc-projecting VTA DA neurons expressed Otx2, this protein was absent from striatal-projecting SNc DA neurons. b. Representative images are shown of VTA (left) and SNc (right) neurons labeled with mCherry (red), Sncg (green), and Otx2 (blue). Arrowhead: Sncg+, Otx2+ cell, Arrows: Sncg+ cells. c. Expression of Sox6 (yellow) and Otx2 (blue) was assessed in VTA DA neurons that projected to the NAc m.shell or core or SNc DA neurons that projected the striatum (red). d. Representative images are shown of VTA (left) and SNc (right) neurons labeled with mCherry (red), Sox6 (yellow), and Otx2 (blue). Arrow: Otx2+ cell (VTA) or Sox6+ cell (SNc). a. and c. Data are expressed as the percent of DA projection neurons labeled, the number of neurons (for groups with > 5 neurons) is noted within the columns. b. and d. Top images were taken using a 20X objective (scale bar = 100 μm), white box illustrates image shown below (60X, scale bar = 30 μm)