Glutamate decarboxylase-immunoreactive neurons and terminals in the periaqueductal gray of the rat. 1988

P Barbaresi, and E Manfrini
Institute of Human Physiology, University of Ancona, Italy.

The periaqueductal gray of 5 rats was processed for immunocytochemistry using an antiserum to glutamate decarboxylase. In both colchicine-pretreated (4 rats) and untreated (1 rat) animals, glutamate decarboxylase-positive cell bodies were present in all periaqueductal gray subdivisions, especially in the dorsal and ventrolateral subdivision. The perikaryal cross-sectional area of labelled neurons was smaller than that of periaqueductal gray projecting neurons retrogradely labelled with horseradish peroxidase in separate experiments. The morphology of glutamate decarboxylase-containing neurons resembled that of small polygonal, triangular and fusiform cells described in previous Golgi studies. Glutamate decarboxylase immunoreactivity was also observed in a large number of terminal-like structures, most of which were distributed close to the somata and dendrites of both glutamate decarboxylate-positive and -negative neurons. At all rostrocaudal levels the highest concentration of these elements was observed around the aqueduct. These results suggest that two sub-populations of neurons are present in the periaqueductal gray of rats, one consisting of small-sized glutamate decarboxylase-positive neurons (intrinsic neurons) and the other of large-sized glutamate decarboxylase-negative neurons (projecting neurons). Intrinsic circuits could be present between glutamate decarboxylase-positive and -negative neurons and between glutamate decarboxylase-positive neurons.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007150 Immunohistochemistry Histochemical localization of immunoreactive substances using labeled antibodies as reagents. Immunocytochemistry,Immunogold Techniques,Immunogold-Silver Techniques,Immunohistocytochemistry,Immunolabeling Techniques,Immunogold Technics,Immunogold-Silver Technics,Immunolabeling Technics,Immunogold Silver Technics,Immunogold Silver Techniques,Immunogold Technic,Immunogold Technique,Immunogold-Silver Technic,Immunogold-Silver Technique,Immunolabeling Technic,Immunolabeling Technique,Technic, Immunogold,Technic, Immunogold-Silver,Technic, Immunolabeling,Technics, Immunogold,Technics, Immunogold-Silver,Technics, Immunolabeling,Technique, Immunogold,Technique, Immunogold-Silver,Technique, Immunolabeling,Techniques, Immunogold,Techniques, Immunogold-Silver,Techniques, Immunolabeling
D009411 Nerve Endings Branch-like terminations of NERVE FIBERS, sensory or motor NEURONS. Endings of sensory neurons are the beginnings of afferent pathway to the CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM. Endings of motor neurons are the terminals of axons at the muscle cells. Nerve endings which release neurotransmitters are called PRESYNAPTIC TERMINALS. Ending, Nerve,Endings, Nerve,Nerve Ending
D010487 Periaqueductal Gray Central gray matter surrounding the CEREBRAL AQUEDUCT in the MESENCEPHALON. Physiologically it is probably involved in RAGE reactions, the LORDOSIS REFLEX; FEEDING responses, bladder tonus, and pain. Mesencephalic Central Gray,Midbrain Central Gray,Central Gray Substance of Midbrain,Central Periaqueductal Gray,Griseum Centrale,Griseum Centrale Mesencephali,Periaqueductal Gray Matter,Substantia Grisea Centralis,Substantia Grisea Centralis Mesencephali,Central Gray, Mesencephalic,Central Gray, Midbrain,Gray Matter, Periaqueductal,Gray, Central Periaqueductal,Griseum Centrale Mesencephalus,Periaqueductal Grays, Central
D003078 Colchicine A major alkaloid from Colchicum autumnale L. and found also in other Colchicum species. Its primary therapeutic use is in the treatment of gout, but it has been used also in the therapy of familial Mediterranean fever (PERIODIC DISEASE). Colchicine, (+-)-Isomer,Colchicine, (R)-Isomer
D005968 Glutamate Decarboxylase A pyridoxal-phosphate protein that catalyzes the alpha-decarboxylation of L-glutamic acid to form gamma-aminobutyric acid and carbon dioxide. The enzyme is found in bacteria and in invertebrate and vertebrate nervous systems. It is the rate-limiting enzyme in determining GAMMA-AMINOBUTYRIC ACID levels in normal nervous tissues. The brain enzyme also acts on L-cysteate, L-cysteine sulfinate, and L-aspartate. EC 4.1.1.15. Glutamate Carboxy-Lyase,Glutamic Acid Decarboxylase,Acid Decarboxylase, Glutamic,Carboxy-Lyase, Glutamate,Decarboxylase, Glutamate,Decarboxylase, Glutamic Acid,Glutamate Carboxy Lyase
D006735 Horseradish Peroxidase An enzyme isolated from horseradish which is able to act as an antigen. It is frequently used as a histochemical tracer for light and electron microscopy. Its antigenicity has permitted its use as a combined antigen and marker in experimental immunology. Alpha-Peroxidase,Ferrihorseradish Peroxidase,Horseradish Peroxidase II,Horseradish Peroxidase III,Alpha Peroxidase,II, Horseradish Peroxidase,III, Horseradish Peroxidase,Peroxidase II, Horseradish,Peroxidase III, Horseradish,Peroxidase, Ferrihorseradish,Peroxidase, Horseradish
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D051381 Rats The common name for the genus Rattus. Rattus,Rats, Laboratory,Rats, Norway,Rattus norvegicus,Laboratory Rat,Laboratory Rats,Norway Rat,Norway Rats,Rat,Rat, Laboratory,Rat, Norway,norvegicus, Rattus

Related Publications

P Barbaresi, and E Manfrini
June 1987, Brain research bulletin,
P Barbaresi, and E Manfrini
March 1983, The Journal of neuroscience : the official journal of the Society for Neuroscience,
Copied contents to your clipboard!