title: Differential distribution of gamma-aminobutyric acidA receptor subunit (alpha 1, alpha 2, alpha 3, alpha 5 and beta 2 + 3) immunoreactivity in the medial prefrontal cortex of the rat.
abstract: A detailed mapping of the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)A receptor subunits (alpha 1, alpha 2, alpha 3, alpha 5 and beta 2 + 3) in the infralimbic/ventral prelimbic region (IL/vPL) of the rat frontal cortex was carried out using subunit-specific antibodies. The alpha 1 and beta 2 + 3 subunit antibodies immunostained all layers of the IL/vPL region. Layers II and III displayed immunostaining of cell bodies whereas I, V and VI showed predominantly neuropil staining. The size of the alpha 1-positive cell bodies corresponded to that of small interneurons (range, 20-55 microns2; mean +/- SEM, 37 +/- 5.5 microns2) as well as pyramidal cells or large interneurons (range, 87-135 microns2; mean +/- SEM, 103.4 +/- 9.7 microns2). However, beta 2 + 3 antibody immunostained only small cell bodies. Immunoreactivity for alpha 2 was restricted to layers I and II, whereas alpha 3 and alpha 5 subunit expression was seen only in layer VI. The antibody to the alpha 2 subunit immunostained small cell bodies (range, 29-63 microns2; mean +/- SEM, 32 +/- 4.5 microns2) in layer II, resembling interneurons. Conversely, both alpha 3 and alpha 5 antibodies immunostained large cell bodies (range, 94-151 microns2; mean +/- SEM, 115.7 +/- 13.4 microns2), consistent with pyramidal cell labelling in layer VI.
authors.affiliation: Pharmacia and Upjohn, Inc., Kalamazoo, MI 49001, USA.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Dunn
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Fritschy
authors.forename: D B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Carter
authors.forename: K M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Merchant
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007395:Interneurons / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D017397:Prefrontal Cortex / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000378:metabolism*; D017966:Pyramidal Cells / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D051381:Rats; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A