Immunohistochemical demonstration of the calcium channel alpha2 subunit in the chicken dorsal root ganglion and spinal cord: a special reference to colocalization with calbindin-D28k in dorsal root ganglion neurons.
We used immunohistochemical methods to examine the distribution of the calcium channel alpha2 (CCalpha2) subunit in the chicken spinal cord and dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons and determine its relationship with calbindin-D28k (CB) in the DRG neurons. In the spinal cord, CCalpha2 subunit was detected in nerve terminals, which were observed as dot-like structures, and in laminae I, II, III and Lissauer's tract in the dorsal horn. In the DRG neurons, approximately 65% of the total neurons were CCalpha2 subunit positive, and most (86%) of these neurons were small to medium sized, suggesting that the CCalpha2 subunit and/or a complex of the CCalpha2 and delta subunits is possibly localized in a number of nociceptive neurons. A majority (77%) of the positive neurons showed CB immunoreactivity and most (88%) of these neurons were small to medium sized. This may indicate a close correlation between the CCalpha2 subunit and CB in the nociceptive neurons. Thus, it is postulated that the mode of nociceptive transmission may involve a cellular Ca(2+)-regulating system that consists of both Ca(2+) entry via calcium channels with the alpha2delta subunit and intracellular Ca(2+)-binding activity of CB in the nociceptive neurons of the DRG.
Li
Yong-Nan
YN
Department of Neurology, Xi-Jing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, People's Republic of China.
Li
Yan-Chao
YC
Kuramoto
Hirofumi
H
Liu
Zhi-Rong
ZR
Kawate
Toyoko
T
Atsumi
Saoko
S
Deng
Yan-Chun
YC
Huang
Yuan-Gui
YG
D000344:Afferent Pathways / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D000818:Animals; D064092:Calbindin 1; D064026:Calbindins; D015220:Calcium Channels / Q000378:metabolism*; D020746:Calcium Channels, L-Type; D002452:Cell Count; D002645:Chickens; D005260:Female; D005727:Ganglia, Spinal / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D009475:Neurons, Afferent / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D009619:Nociceptors / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D010146:Pain / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D020671:Posterior Horn Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D017729:Presynaptic Terminals / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D021122:Protein Subunits / Q000378:metabolism; D064030:S100 Calcium Binding Protein G / Q000378:metabolism*; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D013126:Spinal Nerve Roots / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure