title: Immunocytochemical evidence for the GABAergic innervation of the stretch receptor neurons in crayfish.
abstract: The GABAergic innervation of the stretch receptor neurons of the crayfish Orconectes limosus has been investigated by means of light- and electron microscope immunocytochemistry using an antibody to GABA. Both whole-mount preparations and post-embedding semithin sections revealed a massive GABAergic innervation of both the slowly and the fast adapting receptor neurons. The stretch receptor organ is supplied by one principle GABA-immunoreactive axon, which gives off several branches that innervate the receptor neurons. Cell body, initial axon segment and dendritic region of the sensory neurons are covered by numerous GABA-immunoreactive varicose fibers. Electron microscopy revealed that the GABA-immunoreactive varicosities establish specialized synaptic contacts with the sensory neurons. The functional significance of the occurrence of GABA-immunoreactive varicosities on the different parts of the sensory neurons is discussed. The results support the physiological and pharmacological evidence that GABA is a transmitter substance of the efferent inhibitory neurons which innervate the crayfish stretch receptor neurons.
authors: Fakultät für Biologie der Universität Konstanz, F.R.G.
authors: K
authors: K
authors: Elekes
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Florey
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003400:Astacoidea / Q000502:physiology*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008465:Mechanoreceptors / Q000032:analysis* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D009474:Neurons / Q000032:analysis / Q000145:classification / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid