Localization of GABA transaminase immunoreactivity in the rat substantia nigra pars reticulata

Kin Lam Ken YUNG, Y.C. TSE, Z.G. GAO, S.Y. CHOI, F.S.L. KWOK

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8 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Precise cellular localization of gamma-aminobutyric acid transaminase (GABA(T)), a degrading enzyme for the neurotransmitter GABA, was determined in the rat substantia nigra (SN) by immunocytochemical experiments using a recently developed monoclonal antibody. In order to characterize the GABA(T)- immunoreactive neurons, double immunocytochemistry was also performed using tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) as a neurochemical marker for dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc). Immunoreactivity for GABA(T) was primarily localized in perikarya of the SN. There were only a few GABA(T)- immunoreactive neurons found to display TH immunoreactivity. Most of the GABA(T)-immunoreactive neurons were then identified as reticulata neurons. These results indicate that reticulata neurons are the major nigral neurons that express GABA(T) immunoreactivity and there may be functional compartmentalization of the GABA metabolism in the rat substantia nigra pars reticulata (SNr). Copyright © 1998 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)57-60
JournalNeuroscience Letters
Volume253
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Aug 1998

Citation

Yung, K. K. L., Tse, Y. C., Gao, Z. G., Choi, S. Y., & Kwok, F. S. L. (1998). Localization of GABA transaminase immunoreactivity in the rat substantia nigra pars reticulata. Neuroscience Letters, 253(1), 57-60. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0304-3940(98)00614-4

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