Characterizing Enteric Neurons in Dopamine Transporter (DAT)-Cre Reporter Mice Reveals Dopaminergic Subtypes with Dual-Transmitter Content

This study characterizes dopaminergic neurons in the enteric nervous system (ENS) using a dopamine transporter (DAT)-Cre reporter mouse model. The research reveals distinct subtypes of dopaminergic neurons in the gut, identified through immunofluorescence, single-cell transcriptomics, and in situ hybridization. These subtypes include neurons co-releasing acetylcholine and others expressing canonical dopaminergic markers like TH, VMAT2, and GIRK2. A novel population of ChAT/DAT-tdTomato-immunoreactive neurons expressing Grp, Calcb, and Sst was also discovered. The study highlights the heterogeneity of dopaminergic neurons in the gut and suggests further research to understand their functional roles and implications in disease.