Immunohistochemical localization of aspartate in corticofugal pathways.
In the present study we used immunohistochemistry, with an antibody directed against aspartate (Asp), in conjunction with wheat germ agglutinin-horseradish peroxidase (WGA-HRP) histochemistry to examine the Asp-containing neurons in the motor and somatosensory cortices of the rat that project to the caudate/putamen or the pons. Injections of WGA-HRP in the caudate/putamen labelled cells in layer V of both cortical areas. In the motor cortex, retrogradely labelled neurons were distributed throughout layer V; 59% of these cells were also Asp-immunoreactive. In the somatosensory cortex labelled neurons were found mainly in layer Vb; 57% of these cells were double labelled. A similar percentage of cells were double labelled in this cortical area following WGA-HRP injections into the pontine nuclei. These observations taken together with previous findings (Exp. Neurol., 105 (1989) 36-44) suggest that nearly equal proportions of neurons that give rise to the corticostriatal and corticopontine pathways may use either Asp or glutamate (Glu) as putative neurotransmitters.
Dinopoulos
A
A
Department of Anatomy, Veterinary School, University of Thessaloniki, Greece.
Dori
I
I
Parnavelas
J G
JG
D000818:Animals; D001224:Aspartic Acid / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D002421:Caudate Nucleus / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D006735:Horseradish Peroxidase; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D009046:Motor Neurons / Q000378:metabolism; D009434:Neural Pathways / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000378:metabolism; D011699:Putamen / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D051381:Rats; D013003:Somatosensory Cortex / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D018998:Wheat Germ Agglutinin-Horseradish Peroxidase Conjugate; D014909:Wheat Germ Agglutinins
D018998:Wheat Germ Agglutinin-Horseradish Peroxidase Conjugate; D014909:Wheat Germ Agglutinins; D001224:Aspartic Acid; D006735:Horseradish Peroxidase