title: GAP-43 immunoreactivity is widespread in the autonomic neurons and sensory neurons of the rat.
abstract: GAP-43 is a membrane-bound phosphoprotein generally associated with axon growth during development and regeneration. Using immunohistochemical and immunoblotting techniques this study shows that GAP-43 is expressed extensively in the unperturbed adult autonomic nervous system. Strong immunoreactivity was seen in the developing and mature enteric subdivision of the autonomic nervous system and in nerves of the iris and various blood vessels. The presence of GAP-43 immunoreactivity in varicose nerve fibres, and a comparison of the labelling pattern of GAP-43 with the nerve associated marker PGP 9.5 suggests that GAP-43 is present in most or all autonomic nerve fibres in these organs. Immunoblotting of gut samples on 10% polyacrylamide gels revealed a single band of approximately 45,000 mol. wt that co-migrated with pure central nervous system GAP-43. Surgical sympathectomy experiments resulting in almost complete elimination of sympathetic fibres did not markedly affect the pattern of GAP-43 immunoreactivity in the iris, indicating that GAP-43 is expressed not only in sympathetic nerves but also in parasympathetic and sensory fibres. These findings show that GAP-43 is expressed extensively in autonomic nerves of the adult rat, at levels comparable to those seen during development. High levels of GAP-43 are not therefore restricted to development and regeneration in this part of the nervous system.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, University College, London, U.K.
authors.forename: H J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Stewart
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Cowen
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Curtis
authors.forename: G P
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Wilkin
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mirsky
authors.forename: K R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Jessen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001341:Autonomic Nervous System / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D015152:Blotting, Northern; D002395:Catecholamines / Q000378:metabolism; D002799:Cholinergic Fibers / Q000378:metabolism; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D019922:GAP-43 Protein; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D009197:Myenteric Plexus / Q000166:cytology; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism*; D009475:Neurons, Afferent / Q000378:metabolism*; D010750:Phosphoproteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013562:Sympathectomy
chemical_list: D002395:Catecholamines; D019922:GAP-43 Protein; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D010750:Phosphoproteins