[Expression of gamma-amino butyric acid and its receptor in the marginal division of rat striatum].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the expression of the inhibitory amino acid gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and its receptor GABAR (B1) mRNA in the marginal division of rat striatum.


METHODS
The expression of GABA and its receptor GABAR (B1) mRNA was studied by way of immunocytochemistry and molecular in situ hybridization method.


RESULTS
Dense GABA-positive immunoreactive fibers and a few positive cells were found in the marginal division of the rat striatum, along with glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD)-positive fibers and cell bodies. GABA- and GAD-positive cells and fibers were also seen in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus. Numerous cells positive of the expression of GABAR (B1) receptors mRNA were observed in the marginal division whereas only a few positive cells were found in the caudate putamen. GABAR (B1) receptor mRNA expression was also observed in some cells in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus.


CONCLUSIONS
The expression of GABA and its receptor in the marginal division of rat striatum indicates a regulatory mechanism of the marginal division of the striatum by GABA, suggesting that GABA can affect the learning and memory function of the marginal division through inhibiting the neurotransmitter release in the presynaptic terminal or modulating the other neurotransmitters.
Bao
Xin-Min
XM
Institute for Neuroscience, Zhujiang Hospital, First Military Medical University, Guangzhou 510282, China.
Shu
Si-Yun
SY
Wang
Hong
H
D000818:Animals; D003342:Corpus Striatum / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D005968:Glutamate Decarboxylase / Q000032:analysis; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D018080:Receptors, GABA-B / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000032:analysis*
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D018080:Receptors, GABA-B; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; D005968:Glutamate Decarboxylase