Presence of gamma-aminobutyric acid and glutamic acid decarboxylase in Auerbach's plexus of cat colon.
Regional distributions of endogenous gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and ganglion cells in Auerbach's plexus were studied in the gastrointestinal tract of cats. GABA was determined by enzymatic and fluorometric assay. There was a positive correlation between the GABA content and the number of cells in this plexus. We analyzed the precise localization of GABA and glutamic acid-decarboxylase (GAD) in individual layers, mucosa, circular and longitudinal muscles and Auerbach's plexus, from freeze-dried sections of cat colon by the enzymatic cycling method. Both GABA contents and GAD activity in Auerbach's plexus were highest in all 4 layers. Thus, the possibility that GABA is synthesized and localized within Auerbach's plexus has to be considered.
D000818:Animals; D002262:Carboxy-Lyases / Q000032:analysis*; D002415:Cats; D003106:Colon / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000294:innervation*; D005260:Female; D005725:Ganglia, Autonomic / Q000166:cytology; D005968:Glutamate Decarboxylase / Q000032:analysis*; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000201:enzymology; D008297:Male; D009132:Muscles / Q000032:analysis / Q000201:enzymology; D009197:Myenteric Plexus / Q000032:analysis* / Q000166:cytology / Q000201:enzymology; D014018:Tissue Distribution; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000032:analysis*
D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; D002262:Carboxy-Lyases; D005968:Glutamate Decarboxylase