Immunocytochemical localization of glutamate-, glutaminase- and aspartate aminotransferase-like immunoreactivity in the rat deep cerebellar nuclei

P. L. Monaghan, Al J Beitz, Alice A Larson, R. A. Altschuler, J. E. Madl, M. A. Mullett

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Abstract

Although the anatomy and the connectivity of the deep cerebellar nuclei have been well documented, little is known about the neurotransmitter systems mediating cerebellar efferent pathways. The present study utilizes immunohistochemical procedures in conjunction with a novel monoclonal antibody specific for carbodiimide-fixed glutamate and polyclonal antisera against glutaminase (GLNase) and aspartate aminotransferase (AATase) to examine the presence of putative excitatory amino acid transmitters in neurons of the deep cerebellar nuclei. Carbodiimide-fixed glutamate-like, GLNase-like and AATase-like immunoreactivities were observed in neurons of the lateral, posterior interpositus, anterior interpositus and medial deep cerebellar nuclei. More neurons were stained with AATase antiserum than with the GLNase antiserum or the monoclonal antibody. These results suggest glutamate, GLNase and AATase are present in neurons of the deep cerebellar nuclei and raise the possibility that glutamate may be an excitatory transmitter in these structures.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)364-370
Number of pages7
JournalBrain Research
Volume363
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 22 1986

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
his helpful comments during the preparation of this manuscript. This work was supported by NIH grants NS19208 (A.J.B.) and NS17407 (A.A.L.), and NSF

Keywords

  • aspartate aminotransferase
  • cerebellar nucleus
  • glutamatate
  • glutaminase
  • immunohistochemistry

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