GABA localization in the nematode Ascaris

Thesis/Dissertation · Fri Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1988

OSTI ID:5642676

Guastella, J

A histochemical approach was used to examine the distribution of GABA-associated neurons in the nematode Ascaris, an organism whose small number of morphologically simple neurons make it an excellent preparation for analyzing neuronal phenotypes. Two GABAergic markers were examined: GABA-like immunoreactivity (GLIR), a marker for endogenous stores of GABA; and ({sup 3}H)-GABA uptake, a marker for GABA uptake sites. Strong GLIR was present in the cell bodies, neurites and commissures of dorsal and ventral inhibitory motorneurons present in this region. Strong GLIR was also present in the cell bodies and processes of the four RME neurons in the nerve ring and in several other ganglionic neurons. Staining was absent in excitatory motorneurons, in ventral cord interneurons and in muscle cells and hypodermis. GABA uptake sites were found in single neural processes in both the ventral and dorsal nerve cords. ({sup 3}H)-GABA labeling was also observed in the other two RME cells and several other cephalic neurons. Four putative cholinergic excitatory motorneurons in the retrovesicular ganglion (RVG) were heavily labeled. Ventral and dorsal nerve cord inhibitory motorneurons did not take up ({sup 3}H)-GABA. Labeling of the ventral cord excitatory motorneuron somata and cell bodies was at or slightly above background. Heavy labeling of muscle cells was also observed.

• Research Organization: Wisconsin Univ., Madison, WI (USA)
• OSTI ID: 5642676
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

550201* -- Biochemistry-- Tracer Techniques
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
AMINO ACIDS
AMINOBUTYRIC ACID
ANIMAL CELLS
ASCHELMINTHES
AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM AGENTS
BIOCHEMISTRY
BIOLOGICAL LOCALIZATION
BIOLOGICAL MARKERS
CARBOXYLIC ACIDS
CHEMISTRY
DISTRIBUTION
DRUGS
HELMINTHS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
ISOTOPE APPLICATIONS
NEMATODES
NERVE CELLS
NEUROREGULATORS
ORGANIC ACIDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PHENOTYPE
SOMATIC CELLS
TISSUE DISTRIBUTION
TRACER TECHNIQUES
TRITIUM COMPOUNDS