Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Parvalbumins”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 667 records · Page 37Linked to original sources
PubMed2001

N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor blockade during development induces short-term but not long-term changes in c-Jun and parvalbumin expression in the rat cervical spinal cord.

During postnatal development, N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDA-R) expression progressively decreases in ventral and deep dorsal horns. This transient expression might play a role in activity-dependent development of segmental circuitry. NMDA-Rs were blocked unilaterally in the lower cervical spinal cord using Elvax implants that released the NMDA-R antagonist MK-801 maximally over a 2-week period from postnatal day 7 (P7) onward. At P14, the ratio of c-Jun immunoreactive motoneurons ipsilateral/contralateral to the implants was significantly increased and the ratio of parvalbumin immunoreactive neurons decreased, compared to control implants. However, at P84, MK-801-treated and control spinal cords appeared the same. Therefore, NMDA-R blockade during development only transiently altered expression of activity-dependent proteins in the spinal cord, unlike lesions to the developing motor cortex, which we have previously shown to have a permanent effect.

Aging↗
PubMed2002

Protective effect of parvalbumin on excitotoxic motor neuron death.

The mechanism responsible for the selective vulnerability of motor neurons in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is poorly understood. Several lines of evidence indicate that susceptibility of motor neurons to Ca(2+) overload induced by excitotoxic stimuli is involved. In this study, we investigated whether the high density of Ca(2+)-permeable AMPA receptors on motor neurons gives rise to higher Ca(2+) transients in motor neurons compared to dorsal horn neurons. Dorsal horn neurons were chosen as controls as these cells do not degenerate in ALS. In cultured spinal motor neurons, the rise of the cytosolic Ca(2+) concentration induced by kainic acid (KA) and mediated by the AMPA receptor was almost twice as high as in spinal neurons from the dorsal horn. Furthermore, we investigated whether increasing the motor neuron's cytosolic Ca(2+)-buffering capacity protects them from excitotoxic death. To obtain motor neurons with increased Ca(2+) buffering capacity, we generated transgenic mice overexpressing parvalbumin (PV). These mice have no apparent phenotype. PV overexpression was present in the central nervous system, kidney, thymus, and spleen. Motor neurons from these transgenic mice expressed PV in culture and were partially protected from KA-induced death as compared to those isolated from nontransgenic littermates. PV overexpression also attenuated KA-induced Ca(2+) transients, but not those induced by depolarization. We conclude that the high density of Ca(2+)-permeable AMPA receptors on the motor neuron's surface results in high Ca(2+) transients upon stimulation and that the low cytosolic Ca(2+)-buffering capacity of motor neurons may contribute to the selective vulnerability of these cells in ALS. Overexpression of a high-affinity Ca(2+) buffer such as PV protects the motor neuron from excitotoxicity and this protective effect depends upon the mode of Ca(2+) entry into the cell.

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis↗
PubMed1993

Role of parvalbumin in relaxation of frog skeletal muscle.

Experiments were done to test the hypothesis that parvalbumin (PA) promotes relaxation in frog skeletal muscle. Single fibers and purified PA from R. temporaria skeletal muscle were used to determine the relationship between Ca2+ and Mg2+ dissociation rates from PA and changes in relaxation rate as a function of isometric tetanus duration at 0 degrees C. Relaxation rate slows as a function of tetanus duration with a rate constant of 1.18 s-1. Recovery of relaxation rate after a prolonged tetanus exhibits a rate constant of 0.12 s-1. Dissociation rate constants for Mg2+ and Ca2+ from purified PA are 0.93 s-1 and 0.19 s-1, respectively. Thus rates of slowing and recovery of relaxation rate may be controlled by Mg2+ and Ca2+ dissociation from PA, respectively. The influence of temperature on relaxation rate and on Ca2+ and Mg2+ dissociation rates from purified PA also was examined. The magnitude of slowing of relaxation rate with increasing tetanus duration, relative to the final, steady value of relaxation rate, is greater at 0 than at 10 degrees C. In the 0 to 10 degrees C range, the Q10 for relaxation rate increases with increasing tetanus duration. Both of these observations can be explained if the Q10 for Ca2+ uptake by the sarcoplasmic reticulum is greater than the Q10 for Ca2+ sequestration by PA during relaxation. When Ca2+ and Mg2+ dissociation rates from PA at various temperatures are compared to other proposed indicators of PA function, it is concluded that PA facilitates relaxation of frog skeletal muscle in the 0 to 20 degrees C range.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Differential Ca2+ binding properties in the human cerebellar cortex: distribution of parvalbumin and calbindin D-28k immunoreactivity.

The distribution of the Ca(2+)-binding proteins parvalbumin (PV) and calbindin D-28k (CaBP) was investigated in the human cerebellar cortex. Purkinje cells contain both PV and CaBP. PV but not CaBP stains stellate and basket cells in the molecular layer. In the granular layer Golgi neurons can be subdivided into a majority, devoid of both Ca(2+)-binding proteins, and a scanty population which appears to be PV- and CaBP-immunoreactive. Thus GABAergic neurons in the human cerebellar cortex show selective differences in their Ca(2+)-binding properties, and these differences might reflect a heterogeneity in the processing of Ca(2+)-mediated events.

Aged↗
PubMed1992

Parvalbumin immunoreactive neurons and fibres in the teleost cerebellum.

The distribution of parvalbumin- (PV) immunopositive cell bodies and fibres in the cerebellum of two species of freshwater teleosts (Salmo gairdneri and Barbus meridonalis) was studied using a monoclonal antibody and the avidin-biotin immunoperoxidase technique. A clear laminated pattern of PV immunoreactivity was observed. After PV-immunostaining, Purkinje cells were strongly labelled in their cell bodies, the initial segments of the axons and the dendritic trees. In the molecular layer, only the dendritic branches of the Purkinje cells were PV-positive. In the granule cell layer, extensive axonal plexuses and scattered cell bodies were observed. Most of the immunopositive perikarya were unequivocally identified as displaced Purkinje cells, whereas a reduced number of smaller neurons with unstained dendrites was also found. Eurydendroid cells, the efferent neurons of the teleost cerebellum, were negative; however, they were impinged upon by numerous PV-positive boutons, corresponding to terminals of Purkinje cell axons. Parallel fibres and climbing fibres, as well as stellate cells and granule cells were negative. Basket cells (or deep stellate cells) whose existence in the teleost cerebellum is discussed, were also not observed. The immunoreactivity distribution pattern for PV in the teleost cerebellum differs from previous observations on the localization of this protein in the cerebellum of amniotes.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Development of parvalbumin immunoreactive neurons in normal and intracranially transplanted retinas in the rat.

Retinas from embryonic day 14 Sprague-Dawley rats were transplanted to the midbrain or cerebral cortex of newborn (P0) rats of which the right eye was enucleated at the time of transplantation. Parvalbumin immunoreactive (PV-I) neurons were studied in the developing retinal transplants, and in the remaining retina of the host, as well as in normal retinas. PV-I neurons were identifiable in retinas of normal and host rats from postnatal day 5 (P5) onward, with the PV-I somata primarily in the inner half of the inner nuclear layer and in the ganglion cell layer. An adult-like distribution of PV-I neurons was attained at P35, as judged by cell packing density, intensity of immunostaining, laminar distribution and soma size of subpopulations of PV-I cells. A similar time course of development and distribution of PV-I somata was observed in the retinal transplants, except for some minor differences such as a slight delay in PV-I cells achieving their final distribution. These findings provide evidence that PV-I neurons can survive, differentiate and mature according to predetermined programmes intrinsic to the retinal tissue following transplantation to a new and foreign environment.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Differential effects of long-term transplantation on the growth of cortical neurons containing parvalbumin or calbindin.

Numerical density and morphology of the two main GABAergic neuronal classes, the parvalbumin (PV) and calbindin- (CaBP)-containing nerve cells were investigated in long-term neocortical transplants in rats. It was observed that 4 months after the transplantation both CaBP- and PV-immunoreactive neurons survive and grow in neocortical grafts. However, the numerical density of PV cells decreased to about half of the control value (host cortex), while the density of CaBP-positive cells was 25-60% of that seen in the host cortex, depending on the degree of integration of the graft. The mean diameter of PV neurons rose to double of the control value, while the size of CaBP-positive perikarya did not change. This indicates that GABAergic neurons with hypertrophic perikarya (Bragin et al. 1991a) are identical to PV neurons. On the basis of these qualitative and quantitative morphological data it is concluded that PV- and CaBP-containing GABA cells in the transplant exhibit different sensitivities to transplantation-related structural and functional alterations.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Monoclonal antibody HNK-1 selectively stains a subpopulation of GABAergic neurons containing the calcium-binding protein parvalbumin in the rat cerebral cortex.

Monoclonal antibody HNK-1 is shown to outline selectively a subpopulation of GABAergic neurons containing a specific calcium-binding protein parvalbumin (PV) in the adult rat parietal cortex, using pre- and postembedding immunocytochemistry at light microscopic level. About 98% of HNK-1 stained cells in the rat parietal cortex were PV immunoreactive. About 95% of HNK-1 immunoreactive cells were also shown to be stained with a lectin, Vicia villosa agglutinin (VVA), with a specific affinity for terminal N-acetylgalactosamine, which has been previously shown to stain selectively a subpopulation of PV-containing GABAergic neurons in this region. Furthermore almost all HNK-1 immunoreactive cells were also stained with a monoclonal antibody, 3B3, which is specific for chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan. 3B3 was shown in the present study to stain selectively a subpopulation of PV-immunoreactive neurons in the adult rat parietal cortex. In addition, a direct comparison of two monoclonal antibodies HNK-1 and VC1.1 revealed that these two were identical in their staining properties and that they defined the same subset of PV-containing GABAergic neurons in the rat parietal cortex.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Monoclonal antibody 473 selectively stains a population of GABAergic neurons containing the calcium-binding protein parvalbumin in the rat cerebral cortex.

Monoclonal antibody (MAb) 473 is shown to outline selectively a subpopulation of GABAergic neurons containing a specific calcium-binding protein parvalbumin (PV) in the adult rat parietal cortex, using preembedding immunocytochemistry at the light microscopic level. About 90% of MAb 473 stained cells in the rat parietal cortex were PV immunoreactive. Thus we compared MAb 473 staining with that of three chemical probes, previously shown to stain selectively a subpopulation of PV-containing GABAergic neurons in this brain region, namely, a lectin, Vicia villosa agglutinin (VVA), with a specific affinity for terminal N-acetyl-galactosamine, MAb 3B3 which is specific for chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan and MAb HNK-1 which is specific for some types of carbohydrate epitope containing a sulfated derivative of glucuronic acid. About 85% of MAb 473 immunoreactive cells were shown to be stained with VVA. Furthermore about 90% of MAb 473 immunoreactive cells were also stained with MAb 3B3. Thus MAb 473 positive cells were almost included into VVA and/or MAb 3B3 positive cells. On the other hand only about 34% of MAb 473 positive cells were HNK-1 positive, whereas about 44% of HNK-1 positive cells were MAb 473 positive. Thus these two MAbs defined different, though partially overlapping, subsets of PV-containing GABAergic neurons in the rat parietal cortex.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Axons and axon terminals of cerebellar Purkinje cells and basket cells have higher levels of parvalbumin immunoreactivity than somata and dendrites: quantitative analysis by immunogold labeling.

The immunointensities of calcium-binding proteins parvalbumin (PV) and calbindin D28K were quantified in different parts of Purkinje cells and interneurons (basket cells and stellate cells) of the rat cerebellum. An electron microscopic, postembedding immunogold procedure on Lowicryl K4M-embedded thin sections was applied. Neuronal profiles were identified by double-labeling immunocytochemistry using the combination of the two primary antibodies, mouse monoclonal anti-rat calbindin D28K and rabbit polyclonal anti-rat PV. The secondary antibodies were conjugated with colloidal gold of different sizes (10 and 15 nm diameter). In the cerebellar cortex, double-labeled profiles were identified as Purkinje cells and profiles labeled only with anti-PV were identified as inteneurons. The densities of gold particles were used for statistical comparison of the relative levels of PV and calbindin D28K in somata, dendrites, dendritic spines, axons and axon terminals of Purkinje cells, and interneurons. The axons and axon terminals of Purkinje cells and basket cells had significantly higher levels of PV immunoreactivity than Purkinje cell somata, primary, secondary, and tertiary dendrites, and dendritic spines, as well as interneuron somata. On the other hand, the present study could not determine conclusively whether calbindin D28K was distributed homogeneously throughout soma, dendrites, and axons of Purkinje cells or was also concentrated in Purkinje cell axons. To estimate absolute PV concentrations, we made a series of artificial standard samples which were aldehyde-fixed 10% bovine serum albumin containing given concentrations of PV (0, 12.5, 25, 50, 100, 200, and 400 microM, 1 and 2 mM), and calibration curves were deduced from quantitative immunogold analyses of these standard samples.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1991

The perforant path in the seizure sensitive gerbil contains the Ca(2+)-binding protein parvalbumin.

The Mongolian gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus) is used as a model in epilepsy studies. Structural abnormalities in the hippocampus and in its GABAergic system have been correlated with this affliction. A reliable marker of a subpopulation of GABAergic neurons is the Ca2+ binding protein parvalbumin (PV). Here we show that, whereas PV is present in the same population of hippocampal interneurons in gerbil as described in the rat, in the gerbil, PV-immunoreactivity is also found in the outer molecular layer of the hippocampus. Ultrastructural analysis revealed that it is located there in axospinous boutons with asymmetric synaptic junctions, i.e. the terminals of the entorhinal perforant path. Upon ablation of the intensely PV-immunoreactive entorhinal cortex, PV-staining is completely absent in its hippocampal termination zones. Thus, in gerbil hippocampus (but not in the rat, mouse, cat and man) PV is contained in a presumably excitatory projection. This outstanding feature of the limbic system of the gerbil implies different functional properties related to Ca2+ mediated processes, and could be of relevance for the seizure sensitivity of this animal species.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Quantitative analysis of neurons and glial cells in the rat somatosensory cortex, with special reference to GABAergic neurons and parvalbumin-containing neurons.

The number of neuronal and glial cells in the rat somatosensory cortex (barrel area) has been estimated by a stereological method, the disector, using pairs of toluidine blue-stained, plastic-embedded 0.5-microns-thick sections, 1.5 microns distant from each other. Chemical properties of those disector-counted cells were further analyzed by postembedding immunocytochemical methods on adjacent semithin sections. Thus we were able to analyze quantitatively number, distribution, and proportion of five cell types: (1) gamma-aminobutyric acid-(GABA)-negative neurons; (2) GABA-like immunoreactive (GABA-LIR) neurons; (3) a specific calcium-binding protein parvalbumin-immunoreactive (PV-IR) neurons, a subpopulation of GABA-LIR neurons; (4) S-100 beta-LIR glial cells (astrocytes); and (5) S-100 beta-negative glial cells (oligodendrocytes and microglia). The densities of total cells, glial cells, and neurons in the rat somatosensory cortex were 85.4 +/- 10(3)/mm3, 30.5 x 10(3)/mm3, and 54.9 x 10(3)/mm3, respectively. Of all neurons 25% and 14% were GABA-LIR and PV-IR, respectively; all PV-IR neurons are GABA-LIR, and thus about 54% of GABA-LIR neurons are PV-positive. The number of total cells under a unit surface area of 1 mm2 through the thickness of the somatosensory cortex was 171.6 x 10(3); the number of neurons and glial cells were 110.2 x 10(3) and 61.4 x 10(3), respectively. There were 27.7 x 10(3) GABA-LIR neurons and 15.0 x 10(3) and 12.7 x 10(3) PV-IR neurons and PV-negative GABA-LIR neurons, respectively. The laminar distribution of each group of cells shows prominent differences, indicating that the cellular composition was different from layer to layer. The density of GABA-LIR neurons was highest in layer IV. The numerical density of PV-IR neurons was 2-4 times higher in layer IV than in layers II/III, V, and VI, whereas that of PV-negative GABA-LIR neurons was almost constant throughout the layers.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Parvalbumin and calbindin D-28k immunoreactivities coexist within cytochrome oxidase-rich compartments of squirrel monkey area 18.

Previous studies have demonstrated the presence of the calcium-binding proteins parvalbumin (PARV) and calbindin D-28k (CALB) in interdigitating neuronal systems of the primary visual cortex of primates (Celio et al. 1986; Hendry et al. 1989; Van Brederode et al. 1990). Since the processing of visual information takes place in the higher cortical areas (Hubel 1982), we wondered if complementarity of expression is maintained in the secondary visual cortex (area 18). We therefore examined tangential and coronal sections from the occipital lobe of squirrel monkeys using immunohistochemical techniques employing polyclonal antibodies against PARV and CALB. The pattern of PARV immunoreactivity is characterized by tangentially organized, alternating thick and thin stripes, separated by areas of lower immunoreactivity. Both the thick and thin stripes consist of PARV-immunoreactive neuropil. CALB immunoreactivity forms mainly thick stripes containing large numbers of labelled neurons. Thus in area 18, these zones of increased immunoreactivity coincide with the compartments revealing increased cytochrome oxidase activity, whereas the distribution of PARV and CALB is almost complementary in the subcortical visual centre and in the primary visual cortex (area 17) of New World monkeys.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Monoclonal antibody VC1.1 selectively stains a population of GABAergic neurons containing the calcium-binding protein parvalbumin in the rat cerebral cortex.

Monoclonal antibody VC1.1 is shown to stain selectively a subpopulation of GABAergic neurons in the rat cerebral cortex. Almost all VC1.1 immunoreactive cells were also GABA-like immunoreactive (GABA-LI) and parvalbumin (PV) immunoreactive, whereas they were about 30% and 65% of GABA-LI and PV-positive cells in the parietal cortex and about 13% and 32% in the occipital cortex, respectively. Although a few VC1.1 positive cells showed somatostatin-like and/or cholecystokinin-like immunoreactivities, they were exceptional (less than 1% of VC1.1 positive cells). Furthermore about 90% of VC1.1 positive cells were also stained with a lectin, Vicia villosa agglutinin, with a specific affinity for terminal N-acetylgalactosamine.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Calcium-binding protein parvalbumin-immunoreactive neurons in the rat olfactory bulb. 1. Distribution and structural features in adult rat.

The laminar distribution and morphological features of parvalbumin-immunoreactive [PV(+)] neurons, one of the subpopulations of GABAergic neurons, were studied in the rat olfactory bulb at a light microscopic level. In the main olfactory bulb of adult rats, PV(+) neurons were mainly located in the external plexiform layer (EPL), and a few were scattered in the glomerular layer (GL), mitral cell layer (ML), and granule cell layer (GRL); whereas PV(+) neurons were rarely seen in the accessory olfactory bulb. The inner and outer sublayers of the EPL (ISL and OSL) appeared to be somewhat different in the distribution of PV(+) somata and features of PV(+) processes. PV(+) somata were located throughout the OSL, and PV(+) processes intermingled with one another, making a dense meshwork in the OSL; whereas, in the ISL, PV(+) somata were mainly located near the inner border of the EPL, and PV(+) processes made a sparser meshwork than that in the OSL. PV(+) neurons in the EPL were apparently heterogeneous in their structural features and appeared to be classifiable into several groups. Among them there appeared five distinctive types of PV(+) neurons. The most prominent group of PV(+) neurons in the OSL were superficial short-axon cells, located in the superficial portion of this sublayer and giving rise to relatively thick processes, in horizontal or oblique directions, which usually bore spines and varicosities. Another prominent group of PV(+) neurons extended several short, branched dendrites with spines and varicosities, which appeared to intermingle with one another, making a relatively small, spherical or ovoid dendritic field around the cell bodies; most of them resembled Van Gehuchten cells reported in previous Golgi studies. A third distinctive and most numerous group of PV(+) neurons were of the multipolar type; their somata and processes were located throughout the EPL. Their relatively smooth processes with frequent varicosities and a few spines were extended horizontally or diagonally throughout the EPL. A fourth group, which could be a subtype of the multipolar type, were located in or just above th ML and extended several thin, smooth dendrites in the EPL, some of which appeared to reach the border between the GL and EPL. Occasionally, axon-like processes arose from their cell bodies and extended into the ML. This fourth type of PV(+) neuron was named inner short-axon cells. A fifth group of neuron was located in the ML; processes of these neurons were extended horizontally, so they were named inner horizontal cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Calcium-binding protein parvalbumin-immunoreactive neurons in the rat olfactory bulb. 2. Postnatal development.

The laminar development of the external plexiform layer (EPL) in the rat main olfactory bulb and the postnatal development of parvalbumin-immunoreactive [PV(+)] neurons mainly located in this layer were studied in animals at postnatal week 1-4 at a light microscopic level. The EPL in the adult olfactory bulb consists of two sublayers, the inner sublayer (ISL) and the outer sublayer (OSL). The ISL was already developed well even at postnatal day 7 (P7), whereas the OSL was first recognized at P10 as a thin zone consisting of more or less loosely packed large-sized and small-to-medium-sized somata subjacent to the glomerular layer (GL). The OSL increased in thickness and came to occupy nearly one-third to -half of the EPL at P14. PV(+) neurons first appeared at P10 mainly in the inner border of EPL. Only a few PV(+) neurons were scattered in the EPL at P10, but they increased remarkably in number during P14-21. Some of these PV(+) neurons at P10 had an intensely immunoreactive soma, extending relatively long processes with varicosities and/or spines. At P14, PV(+) neurons were located not only in the ISL but also at the border between the ISL and OSL, but in the OSL proper they were rarely observed. These PV(+) neurons showed branched and complicated processes with numerous varicosities and spines, displaying more mature features than those in previous stages. Even at P14 many of these PV(+) neurons appeared to exhibit some characteristic structural features of those in the adult stage.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Quantitative analysis of GABA-like-immunoreactive and parvalbumin-containing neurons in the CA1 region of the rat hippocampus using a stereological method, the disector.

The numerical density of neurons in the CA1 region of the rat dorsal hippocampus has been estimated by a stereological method, the disector, using pairs of video images of toluidine blue-stained, plastic-embedded, 0.5-microns-thick sections, 3 microns distant from each other. The chemical properties of those disector-counted cells were further analyzed by postembedding immunocytochemical methods on adjacent, semithin sections using antibodies against gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and a specific calcium-binding protein, parvalbumin (PV). The density of neurons in the CA1 region was 35.2 x 10(3)/mm3; numerical densities in the stratum oriens (SO), stratum pyramidale (SP), and strata radiatum-lacunosum-moleculare (SRLM) were 11.3 x 10(3)/mm3, 272.4 x 10(3)/mm3, and 1.9 x 10(3)/mm3, respectively. The numerical densities of GABA-like immunoreactive (GABA-LIR) and PV-immunoreactive (PV-IR) neurons were 2.1 x 10(3)/mm3 and 1.1 x 10(3)/mm3, respectively, which were 5.8% and 3.2% of all neurons, respectively. In the CA1 region only about 60% of PV-positive neurons were GABA-LIR. However, taking the previous observation into consideration that almost all hippocampal PV-positive neurons were immunoreactive for the GABA-synthesizing enzyme glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD), neurons that were immunoreactive to either GABA or PV or both (GABA+ and/or PV+ neurons) were regarded as a better representative of GABAergic neurons in this region; thus, the numerical density of these GABA+ and/or PV+ neurons was 2.5 x 10(3)/mm3 and they were 7.0% of all neurons in the CA1 region. Lamellar analysis showed that the numerical densities of GABA+ and/or PV+, GABA-LIR, and PV-IR neurons were highest in the SP, where they were 8.2 x 10(3)/mm3, 6.2 x 10(3)/mm3, and 5.4 x 10(3)/mm3, respectively. The results of the present study indicate that the proportions of GABAergic neurons and a subpopulation of them, PV-containing GABAergic neurons, to other presumable non-GABAergic neurons are far smaller in the CA1 region of the hippocampus than in several neocortical regions previously reported.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

The colocalization of parvalbumin and calbindin-D28k with GABA in the subnucleus caudalis of the rat spinal trigeminal nucleus.

The colocalization of two calcium-binding proteins, parvalbumin (PV) and calbindin-D28k (CaB), which have been reported to be markers of specific subpopulations of neurons in the central nervous system, with the inhibitory amino acid neurotransmitter gamma-amino-butyric acid (GABA) was investigated in neurons of laminae I-IV of the subnucleus caudalis of the rat spinal trigeminal nucleus by using post-embedding immunocytochemical methods. Cells immunoreactive for PV, CaB, and GABA were found in all four laminae of the subnucleus caudalis. A substantial proportion of PV-immunoreactive perikarya were also stained for GABA in laminae II and III (44.8% and 39.8%, respectively). However, the majority of PV-containing neurons in laminae I and IV (100% and 86%, respectively), as well as CaB-immunoreactive cells in all four laminae (98.4%), were GABA-negative. These results show that, in contrast to higher brain centers, PV-, CaB-, and GABA-immunoreactive perikarya represent significantly different populations of neurons in the subnucleus caudalis of the rat. In the light of the present findings, the differences in the neurochemical properties of the subnucleus caudalis of the spinal trigeminal nucleus and the spinal dorsal horn are also discussed.

Animals↗