Serotonergic terminals express a growth associated protein (GAP-43) in the adult rat spinal cord.
Dual colour immunofluorescence has been used to compare the distribution of serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) and GAP-43 in the adult rat. GAP-43 immunostaining was observed in all spinal cord regions containing 5-HT immunoreactivity. 5-HT and GAP-43 double labelled fibres and varicosities were present and were most evident around motoneurones, in lamina X, and in the intermediolateral cell column. Single labelled GAP-43 fibres and varicosities were also observed and were the dominant population in the dorsal horn and in certain fibre tracts. We conclude that the 5-HT system is one of a small number of spinal cord systems that express high levels of GAP-43 in the adult.
Ching
Y P
YP
Division of Physiology, UMDS St Thomas's Hospital Medical School Campus, London, UK.
Averill
S
S
Wilkin
G P
GP
Wotherspoon
G
G
Priestley
J V
JV
D000818:Animals; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D019922:GAP-43 Protein; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D009046:Motor Neurons / Q000378:metabolism; D009411:Nerve Endings / Q000378:metabolism*; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012701:Serotonin / Q000378:metabolism*; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*
D019922:GAP-43 Protein; D006133:Growth Substances; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D012701:Serotonin