Distribution of mRNA for the GABA transporter GAT-1 in the rat brain: evidence that GABA uptake is not limited to presynaptic neurons

Cells containing mRNA for the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) transporter GAT-1 were identified in rat brain by in situ hybridisation. They were found in most of the known locations of GABAergic neurons, as defined by the distribution of mRNA for glutamic acid decarboxylase, the synthetic enzyme for...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of anatomy 1994-10, Vol.185 ( Pt 2) (Pt 2), p.315-323
Main Authors: Swan, M, Najlerahim, A, Watson, R E, Bennett, J P
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Base Sequence
Brain - metabolism
Carrier Proteins - genetics
Carrier Proteins - metabolism
Cerebellum - metabolism
Female
GABA Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins
gamma-Aminobutyric Acid - genetics
gamma-Aminobutyric Acid - metabolism
In Situ Hybridization
Membrane Proteins - genetics
Membrane Proteins - metabolism
Membrane Transport Proteins
Molecular Sequence Data
Nerve Tissue Proteins - genetics
Nerve Tissue Proteins - metabolism
Organic Anion Transporters
Purkinje Cells - metabolism
Rats
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
Receptors, Presynaptic - metabolism
RNA, Messenger - metabolism
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Summary:Cells containing mRNA for the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) transporter GAT-1 were identified in rat brain by in situ hybridisation. They were found in most of the known locations of GABAergic neurons, as defined by the distribution of mRNA for glutamic acid decarboxylase, the synthetic enzyme for GABA. Within the cerebellum there was substantial labelling of basket and stellate cells in the molecular layer, and of Golgi cells but no others in the granule cell layer. Many Purkinje cells were unlabelled while others, particularly in the hemispheres, were moderately labelled. Many of the Purkinje cells negative for GAT-1 mRNA had adjacent intensely labelled small cells whose size and position corresponded to Bergmann glia. Numerical comparison of cells labelling for GAT-1 mRNA and the mRNAs for the two known isoforms of glutamic acid decarboxylase were made on serial sections of cerebral cortex. Cells positive for GAT-1 mRNA were more numerous, indicating that expression of the transporter is not just limited to GABAergic cells and we suggest that it may also be expressed postsynaptically by some non-GABAergic neurons.
ISSN:0021-8782
1469-7580