Abstract
The distribution and ultrastructural localization of leptin receptor in the rat hypothalamus was determined by immunocytochemistry. We used antiserum against a synthetic peptide that corresponds to the carboxy-terminal cytoplasmic domain to localize leptin receptor-like immunoreactivity in the rat hypothalamus. Strong leptin receptor immunoreactivity was detected in the arcuate, paraventricular and ventromedial nuclei of the hypothalamus, and lateral hypothalamic area. At the ultrastructural level, leptin receptor-like immunoreactivity appeared to be concentrated predominantly in neuronal perikarya and dendrites and strong immunostaining for the leptin receptor was found in plasma membrane, rough endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, and cytoplasmic matrix. These results suggest possible functions for leptin in the rat hypothalamus.
