Fig. 6From: Distinct pattern of enteric phospho-alpha-synuclein aggregates and gene expression profiles in patients with Parkinson’s diseaseGene expression analysis of synuclein and enteric neurotransmitter systems. mRNA expression in submucosal biopsies of patients with PD (n = 8-12) and controls (n = 2-5) showed no alteration in synuclein (SNCA, a) and D2 subtype of dopamine receptor (DRD2, c), whereas significant upregulation of D1 subtype of dopamine receptor (DRD1, b), subunit A of type 3 receptor for 5-hydroxytryptamine (serotonin) (5HT3AR, d), vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP, g) was found in patients with PD. mRNA expression of 5-hydroxytryptamine (serotonin) receptor 4 (5HT4R, e) and muscarinic acetylcholine receptor M3 (M3R, f) were significantly down-regulated in patients with PD. Data were normalized to the mRNA expression of the house-keeping gene HPRT and presented as mean ± SEM and expressed as fold induction.*, p < 0.05 vs control; **, p < 0.01 vs control; ***, p < 0.001 vs controlBack to article page