Colocalization of neuropeptides with calcium-binding proteins in the claustral interneurons during postnatal development of the rat

Abstract The claustrum is a relatively large telencephalic structure, situated close to the border of the neo- and allocortical regions. Its neuronal population consists of glutamatergic, projecting neurons and GABA-ergic interneurons, characterized by occurrence of numerous additional biochemical markers. The postnatal development of these latter neurons has not been extensively studied. Revealing the characteristic patterns of colocalizations between selected markers may shed some light on their function and origin. We investigated the colocalization patterns between three neuropeptides: neuropeptide Y, somatostatin, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide and three calcium-binding proteins: calbindin D28k, calretinin, parvalbumin in the interneurons of the rat claustrum during a four-month postnatal period (P0–P120; P: postnatal day). Our studies revealed the following types of colocalizations: neuropeptide Y with calbindin D28k, calretinin or parvalbumin; somatostatin with calbindin D28k; vasoactive intestinal polypeptide with calretinin. Only vasoactive intestinal polypeptide- and calretinin-containing, double-labeled neurons were present at the day of birth, whereas the other double-labeled neurons appeared at later stages of development. The ratios of colocalizing neurons to single-labeled neurons in each type of colocalization were differentiated and reached the highest value (51%) for vasoactive intestinal polypeptide- and calretinin-double-labeled neurons. In conclusion, the claustral interneurons represent differentiated population in respect to the occurrence of neuropeptides and calcium-binding proteins. The expression of studied substances is changing during the postnatal period.