Summary
The localization of l-glutamate decarboxylase (GAD), the GABA-synthesizing enzyme, was studied in the rat major pelvic ganglion and in the coeliac-superior mesenteric ganglion complex by indirect immunofluorescence technique with a specific antiserum raised in rabbits. GAD immunoreactivity was demonstrated in small cells of these ganglia. The GAD-immunoreactive small cells were 10–20 μm in diameter and formed clusters or occured as solitary cells. The principal neurons were non-reactive but they were surrounded by immunoreactive processes. Studies on colocalization of GAD with tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), the rate-limiting enzyme of the catecholamine synthesis, in the major pelvic ganglion and in the coeliac-superior mesenteric ganglion complex indicated that all GAD-immunoreactive small cells were also labelled with TH. In the major pelvic ganglion all TH-immunoreactive SIF cells were also immunoreactive for GAD. However, in the coeliac-superior mesenteric ganglion complex there occured TH-immunoreactive small cells which showed no immunoreactivity to GAD. It is suggested that the small GAD-immunoreactive cells represent small intensely fluorescent (SIF) cells.
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Karhula, T., Häppölä, O., Joh, T. et al. Localization of l-glutamate decarboxylase immunoreactivity in the major pelvic ganglion and in the coeliac-superior mesenteric ganglion complex of the rat. Histochemistry 90, 255–260 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00495968
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00495968