Summary
A sucrose gap chamber was used to study the effect of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) on normal and regenerating rat peripheral nerve fibers. Sciatic nerves and dorsal roots were depolarized by GABA and the GABAA receptor subtype agonist muscimol, but not by the GABAB receptor subtype agonist baclofen. Ventral root fibers were not affected by these agents, suggesting a selective presence of axonal GABA receptors on sensory fibers of mammalian peripheral nerves. Regenerating dorsal and ventral root fibers were studied 13 to 20 days following nerve crush. The regenerated dorsal root fibers were depolarized by GABA or muscimol, but the regenerated ventral root fibers were not. These results indicate that GABA receptors are selectively present on normal mammalian sensory axons, and are reestablished on regenerated sensory axons.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Allan RD, Evans RH, Johnston GAR (1980) Aminobutyric acid agonists: an in vitro comparison between depression of spinal synaptic activity and depolarization of spinal root fibres in the rat. Br J Pharmacol 70: 609–615
Barker JL, Nicoll RA (1973) The pharmacology and ionic dependency of amino acid responses in frog spinal cord. J Physiol (Lond) 228: 259–277
Barolet AW, Kish SJ, Morris ME (1985) Identification of extrasynaptic binding sites for [3H] GABA in peripheral nerve. Brain Res 358: 104–109
Bowery NG, Price GW, Hudson AL, Hill DR, Wilkin GP, Turnball MJ (1984) GABA receptor multiplicity: visualizalition of different receptor types in mammalian CNS. Neuropharmacology 23: 219–231
Brown DA, Marsh S (1978) Axonal GABA-receptors in mammalian peripheral nerve trunks. Brain Res 156: 187–191
Curtis DR, Lodge D (1982) The depolarization of feline ventral horn group Ia spinal afferent terminations of GABA. Exp Brain Res 46: 215–233
Curtis DR, Lodge D, Bornstein JC, Peet MJ, Leah JD (1982) The dual effects of GABA and related amino acids on the electrical threshold of ventral horn group Ia afferent terminations in the cat. Exp Brain Res 48: 387–400
Davidoff RA (1972) The effects of bicuculline on the isolated spinal cord of the frog. Exp Neurol 35: 179–193
De Groat RA, Lalley PM, Saum WR (1972) Depolarization of dorsal root ganglia in the cat by GABA and related amino acids: antagonism by picrotoxin and bicuculline. Brain Res 44: 273–277
Gallagher JP, Higashi H, Nishi S (1978) Characterization and ionic basis of GABA-induced depolarization recorded in vitro from cat primary afferent neurones. J Physiol (Lond) 275: 263–282
Hill DR, Bowery NG (1981) 3H-GABA binds to bicuculline-insensitive GABAB sites in rat brain. Nature 290: 149–152
Kocsis JD (1985) Aminopyridine sensitivity of spinal cord white matter studied in vitro. Exp Brain Res 57: 620–624
Krnjevic K (1974) Chemical nature of synaptic transmission in vertebrates. Physiol Rev 54: 418–540
Levy RA (1977) The role of GABA in primary afferent depolarization. Prog Neurobiol 9: 211–267
Morris ME, Di Costanzo GA, Fox S, Werman R (1983) Depolarizing action of GABA on myelinated fibers of peripheral nerves. Brain Res 278: 117–126
Morris ME, Di Costanzo GA, Barolet A, Sheridan PJ (1983) Role of K+ in GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid)-evoked depolarization of peripheral nerve. Brain Res 278: 127–135
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Bhisitkul, R.B., Villa, J.E. & Kocsis, J.D. Axonal GABA receptors are selectively present on normal and regenerated sensory fibers in rat peripheral nerve. Exp Brain Res 66, 659–663 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00270698
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00270698