Glutamate decarboxylase and GABA in pancreatic islets: lessons from knock-out mice

The GABA-synthesizing enzyme glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) is expressed in pancreatic beta-cells and GABA has been suggested to play a role in islet cell development and function. Mouse beta-cells predominantly express the larger isoform of the enzyme, GAD67, and very low levels of the second isoform, GAD65. Yet GAD65 has been shown to be a target of very early autoimmune T-cell responses associated with beta-cell destruction in the non-obese diabetic (NOD) mouse model of Type 1 diabetes. Mice deficient in GAD67, GAD65 or both were used to assess whether GABA is important for islet cell development, and whether GAD65 is required for initiation of insulitis and progression to Type 1 diabetes in the mouse. Lack of either GAD65 or GAD67 did not effect the development of islet cells and the general morphology of islets. When GAD65-/-(129/Sv) mice were backcrossed into the NOD strain for four generations, GAD65-deficient mice developed insulitis similar to GAD65+/+ mice. Furthermore, at the low penetrance of diabetes in this backcross, GAD65-deficient mice developed disease at the same rate and incidence as wildtype mice. The results suggest that GABA generated by either GAD65 or GAD67 is not critically involved in islet formation and that GAD65 expression is not an absolute requirement for development of autoimmune diabetes in the NOD mouse.

[Glutamate decarboxylase (GAD)--an autoantigen in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM)]

The number of antibodies to pancreatic beta-cell antigens in IDDM increased in the last years, involving antibodies to glutamic acid decarboxylase (GADab). A short review is given about the diagnostic and prognostic value of GADab determination in IDDM. The GAD plays an important, possibly a key role in the initial immunological events leading to the destruction of beta cells. The question is open whether the immunological reaction against GAD is a primary one, or if it is a result of mimicry of a part of an infectious protein antigen (Coxackie virus). The immunological reaction to GAD is associated with both humoral and cellular responses. The cellular response seems to be more important than the humoral one. The cellular response may be mediated through the HLA complex class I cells (cytotoxic lymphocytes) and the HLA complex class II cells (helper lymphocytes). There are arguments for both possibilities. The principles of GADab determination are shortly described. (Ref. 34.)

Two isoforms of glutamate decarboxylase: why?

Adults express two isoforms of glutamate decarboxylase (GAD), GAD67 and GAD65, which are encoded by different independently regulated genes, a situation that differs from that of other neurotransmitters. In this article, J-J. Soghomonian and David Martin review current knowledge on the differences between these two isoforms. Both isoforms are present in most GABA-containing neurones in the CNS, but GAD65 appears to be targeted to membranes and nerve endings, whereas GAD67 is more widely distributed in cells. Both forms can synthesize transmitter GABA, but GAD67 might preferentially synthesize cytoplasmic GABA and GAD65 might preferentially synthesize GABA for vesicular release. Several lines of evidence suggest that the two forms have different roles in the coding of information by GABA-containing neurones.

[GAD antibody in IDDM]

Glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) catalyzes the formation of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which is a major transmitter in the central nervous system. Two forms of GAD (GAD65 and GAD67) are known to be expressed in human tissues and GAD65 is predominantly expressed in pancreatic beta-cells. Recent findings revealed that GAD functions as an autoantigen in human autoimmunity, especially in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). GAD is a key antigen for the development of autoimmunity against beta-cells and the production of GADAb precedes other autoantibodies such as IAA and ICA512/IA-2Ab prior to the clinical onset of IDDM. At onset, GADAb is detected in 50-80% of patients using RIA or RBA method. Factors that influence the positivities and titers of GADAb at onset, such as onset age, sex, presence of autoimmunity against thyroid, HLA type, have been reported. After onset, GADAb titer decreased more slowly than that of ICA512/IA-2Ab. These findings suggest that autoantibodies against beta-cells, such as GADAb, may develop independently. The presence of GADAb in relatives of IDDM patients and NIDDM patients predicts the development of beta-cell destruction in combination with other anti-islet autoantibodies.

Effect of injection of antisense oligodeoxynucleotides of GAD isozymes into rat ventromedial hypothalamus on food intake and locomotor activity

In the ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH), gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) plays a role in regulating feeding and running behaviors. The GABA synthetic enzyme, glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD), consists of two isozymes, GAD65 and GAD67. In the present study, the phosphorothioated antisense oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) of each GAD isozyme were injected bilaterally into the VMH of male rats, and food intake, body weight and locomotor activity were monitored. ODNs were incorporated in the water-absorbent polymer (WAP, 0.2 nmol/microliter) so that ODNs were retained at the injection site. Each antisense ODN of GAD65 or GAD67 tended to reduce food intake on day 1 (day of injection=day 0) though not significantly. An injection combining both antisense ODNs significantly decreased food intake only on day 1, but body weight remained significantly lower than the control for 5 days. This suppression of body weight gain could be attributed to a significant increase in locomotor activity between days 3 and 5. Individual treatment with either ODNs did not change locomotor activity. The increase in daily locomotor activity in the group receiving the combined antisense ODNs occurred mainly during the light phase. Neither vehicle (WAP) nor control ODN affected food intake, body weight and locomotor activity. Histological studies indicated that antisense ODN distributed within 800 micron from the edge of the area where WAP was located 24 h after the injection gradually disappeared within days, but still remained within 300 micron m distance even 7 days after the injection. Antisense ODN was effectively incorporated by all the cell types examined, i.e., neurons, astrocytes and microglias. Further, HPLC analysis revealed that antisense ODNs of GAD isozymes, either alone or combined, decreased the content of GABA by 50% in VMH 24 h after the injection. These results indicate that suppression of GABA synthesis by either of the GAD isozymes is synergistically involved in suppressing food intake and enhancing locomotor activity in rat VMH.

A ventrodorsal GABA gradient in the embryonic retina prior to expression of glutamate decarboxylase

GABA is known to function as a neurotransmitter in the mature nervous system, and in immature neurons it has been linked to neurotrophic actions. While most GABA is generated by glutamate decarboxylase (GAD), an alternative synthetic pathway is known to originate from putrescine, which is converted via gamma-aminobutyraldehyde in an aldehyde-dehydrogenase-requiring step to GABA. In a search for the role of two aldehyde dehydrogenases expressed in segregated compartments along the dorsoventral axis of the developing retina, we assayed dorsal and ventral retina fractions of the mouse for GABA by high performance liquid chromatography. We found GABA to be present in the embryonic retina, long before expression of GAD, and ventral GABA levels exceeded dorsal levels by more than three-fold. Postnatally, when GAD became detectable, overall GABA levels increased, and the ventrodorsal concentration difference disappeared. Our observations indicate that prior to the formation of synapses the embryonic retina contains a ventrodorsal GABA gradient generated by an alternate synthetic pathway.

Glutamic acid decarboxylase--gene to antigen to disease

Glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) enzymes catalyse the formation of gamma-aminobuturic acid (GABA), which is a major transmitter in the central nervous system but also exerts functions in peripheral organs. Recent-molecular analyses have revealed surprising new roles for the GAD isoforms in human diseases of autoimmune character including neurological disorders and insulin-dependent diabetes. In the 1995 Frontiers in Medicine Symposium, the co-authors of this review discussed the genetics, cell biology, molecular immunology and the role of GAD as autoantigens in human autoimmunity. Studies on disease diagnosis, prediction, and prognosis have revealed unique patterns of reactivities in both cellular and humoral immune responses. Further work will be needed to establish whether the GAD molecules can be used to treat autoimmune diseases.

Anatomic and physiologic aging: a behavioral neuroscience perspective

Because hearing is accomplished by the brain (with neural input from the cochlea), presbyacusis can be ultimately accounted for by changes in brain activity that accompany aging. The anatomic and physiologic changes that accompany aging are of two basic types: the central effects of biological aging (CEBA) and the central effects of peripheral pathology (CEPP). Research using inbred mice and other animal models has provided insights into both CEPP and CEBA, and some implications of this research are reviewed, including the following. Age-related cochlear pathology results in changes in how frequency is "mapped" in the central auditory system (CAS), especially at higher anatomic levels, and this has potentially negative consequences for hearing. Aging and/or age-related hearing loss may impair neural inhibition in the CAS. CEPP may result in abnormalities in neural responses involved in binaural hearing and cause exaggerated "masking" of neural responses by noise. The extent of age-related anatomic change (CEBA and CEPP) varies among CAS subdivisions and accelerates during the terminal phase of life. Genes have been found to influence the time course and severity of presbyacusis as well as the role dietary restriction plays in ameliorating age-related hearing loss in mice.

The contribution of animal models to the understanding of the pathogenesis of type 1 diabetes

The autoimmune nature of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (type 1 diabetes) has been definitively established during the past ten years only, owing essentially to the development of the NOD and the BB rat models. Three of the four criterias required for defining an autoimmune disease have been demonstrated in these animal models. IDDM is accompanied by immunological stigmatas including circulating autoantibodies and insulitis (lymphocytic infiltration of the islets of Langerhans), it is attenuated or prevented by immunosuppressors and it is transferable from diabetic to non-diabetic mice or rats, via T lymphocytes. Only the fourth criterium, namely the induction of the disease by immunization with an autoantigen, has so far not been met. As is the case for many, if not most, autoimmune diseases, the pathogenesis of IDDM is, however, far from being totally understood. Many aspects including the circumstances favoring escape from self-tolerance, the role of the genetic background, the nature of the pancreatic antigens involved in the initiation and perpetuation of the disease, the effector mechanisms responsible for the elimination of the insulin cells and, most importantly, the conditions for restoring tolerance are at the forefront of immunopathologists' concerns. We provide in this review an account of the present situation in these different areas of research. There is no doubt that a cure or a prevention of the disease will be available in the forseeable future. Experiments on animal models have already initiated several clinical trials and epidemiological studies, and this is probably only the beginning of a long list.

A role for glutamate decarboxylase during tomato ripening: the characterisation of a cDNA encoding a putative glutamate decarboxylase with a calmodulin-binding site

A tomato fruit cDNA library was differentially screened to identify mRNAs present at higher levels in fruit of the tomato ripening mutant rin (ripening inhibitor). Complete sequencing of a unique clone ERT D1 revealed an open reading frame with homology to several glutamate decarboxylases. The deduced polypeptide sequence has 80% overall amino acid sequence similarity to a Petunia hybrida glutamate decarboxylase (petGAD) which carries a calmodulin-binding site at its carboxyl terminus and ERT D1 appears to have a similar domain. ERT D1 mRNA levels peaked at the first visible sign of fruit colour change during normal tomato ripening and then declined, whereas in fruit of the ripening impaired mutant, rin, accumulation of this mRNA continued until at least 14 days after the onset of ripening. This mRNA was present at much lower levels in other tissues, such as leaves, roots and stem, and was not increased by wounding. Possible roles for GAD, and its product gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in fruit, are discussed.

Comparative localization of two forms of glutamic acid decarboxylase and their mRNAs in rat brain supports the concept of functional differences between the forms

Two isoforms of glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD67 and GAD65) and their mRNAs were localized in the rat brain by immunohistochemistry and nonradioactive in situ hybridization methods with digoxigenin-labeled cRNA probes. In most brain regions, both GAD isoforms were present in neuronal cell bodies as well as axon terminals. A few populations of neurons, such as those in the reticular nucleus of the thalamus, exhibited similar cell body labeling for both GADs. However, in many brain regions, the cell bodies that were immunoreactive for GAD67 were often more numerous than those that were immunoreactive for GAD65. In contrast, the density (quantity) of GAD65-immunoreactive axon terminals was higher than that of GAD67-immunoreactive terminals. Strong parallels were observed between the intensity of immunohistochemical labeling of cell bodies and the levels of mRNA labeling for both GAD isoforms. Many groups of GAD-containing cell bodies were distinctly labeled for GAD67, and these same groups of neurons were heavily labeled for GAD67 mRNA. Such neurons included Purkinje cells of the cerebellar cortex, nonpyramidal cells in the cerebral cortex, and neurons of the reticular nucleus of the thalamus. Similar parallels in labeling were observed for GAD65 and its mRNA. Distinct cell body labeling for the protein and associated high levels of GAD65 mRNA were found in neurons of the reticular nucleus of the thalamus and periglomerular cells in the olfactory bulb. However, many cell bodies were not readily labeled for GAD65 with immunohistochemical methods. Such absence or weakness of cell body labeling for the protein was associated with low or moderate levels of GAD65 mRNA. Even though light cell body staining was frequently observed for GAD65 and its mRNA, strong axon terminal labeling for GAD65 was present. Thus, in the deep cerebellar nuclei to which the Purkinje cells of the cerebellar cortex project, strong terminal labeling was observed for both GAD isoforms even though only light cell body labeling of the Purkinje cells was obtained for GAD65 and its mRNA. The findings suggest that the two isoforms of GAD are present in most classes of GABA neurons but that they are not similarly distributed within the neurons. GAD67 is present in readily detectable amounts in many GAD-containing cell bodies whereas GAD65 is particularly prominent in many axon terminals. In addition, neurons that express either form of GAD mRNA also express the corresponding protein. Levels of labeling for the GAD mRNAs suggest that, under normal conditions, the synthesis of GAD65 is frequently lower than that of GAD67.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

GABA production in rat islets of Langerhans

Homogenates of pancreatic islets catalyzed breakdown of L-glutamate to GABA with a rate of 0.24 +/- 0.04 nmol.min-1 x mg-1 protein at 37 degrees C. The formation of GABA was stimulated by addition of pyridoxal phosphate in the range 0.05-1 microM (0.97 +/- 0.02 nmol.min-1 x mg protein-1 at a saturating cofactor concentration), which indicates that the process was catalyzed by glutamic acid decarboxylase. The half-maximal effect was obtained with 0.1 microM PLP. Kinetic analyses of the results showed that the Vmax and Km for the reaction were 1.12 nmol.min-1 x mg protein-1 and 0.66 mM, respectively. The pH optimum was 7.0. Subcellular fractionation revealed that 51% of GAD activity was present in the cytosol, 17% in microsomes, 9% in secretory granules, 5% in mitochondria, and 11% in cell debris. Comparison of the kinetic properties of the cytosolic and microsomal forms of the enzyme showed that their Km for glutamate was the same, but that the cytosolic GAD had a lower Km for PLP. GABA synthesis in the nominal absence of PLP was enhanced by malate (twofold increase at 5 mM) and citrate (threefold increase at 5 mM), but was unaffected by ATP and chloride. However, if the islet homogenate was prepared and incubated in the presence of PLP, neither malate nor citrate influenced enzyme activity. Aspartate and AOA were powerful inhibitors of glutamate breakdown. Freshly isolated islets contained approximately 4 mM GABA, whereas the concentration was < 0.1 mM in whole pancreas.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Gamma-aminobutyric acid and glutamate decarboxylase]

Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is the main inhibitory neurotransmitter in the CNS, taking part in processes which are now relatively well understood but also in processes which are remarkable progress has been achieved. The most thoroughly studied field of GABA operation is its role of inhibitory neurotransmitter realized through the mediation of GABA-A and GABA-B receptors. There are at least 40 per cent of synaptic inhibitory events in the CNS in which the neurotransmitter action of GABA is involved. The action of GABA on GABA-A receptor, a Cl- channel, is influenced by benzodiazepines, barbiturates and other substances, suggesting that some neurological and psychiatric diseases are connected with the function of GABA-A receptor. In addition to synaptic inhibition, GABA has several metabolic regulatory functions. GABA is produced not only in neurons but also in beta cells of the pancreas and in tubular cells of the kidney cortex. Its role in these parenchymatous cells is not sufficiently understood. Similarly as GABA, glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD), an enzyme catalysing GABA formation from glutamate, has also been intensively studied. GAD structure, its function in various parts of the CNS and in some parenchymatous cells, and the regulation of GAD activity are still in the focus of interest. Recently GAD has been demonstrated to act as autoantigen in the rare neurological disease "stiff man syndrome" (SMS) and in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). In the presented paper a short review of GABA functions, GAD properties and of the antigenic feature of GAD are given. (Fig. 7, Ref. 41.)

Insulin-dependent diabetes in the NOD mouse model. I. Detection and characterization of autoantibody bound to the surface of pancreatic beta cells prior to development of the insulitis lesion in prediabetic NOD mice

Type I, insulin-dependent diabetes (IDD) results from an autoimmune response against the insulin producing pancreatic beta cells. This autoimmune reaction involves both humoral and cell-mediated factors; nevertheless, the relative role of each remains unresolved. Furthermore, while adoptive transfer experiments have provided evidence for the role of T cells in beta cell destruction, the specific events which initiate leukocyte migration into the islets (insulitis) are unknown. Earlier studies indicated that NOD pancreatic beta cells may bind small amounts of autoantibody. Because of the possible importance of an early humoral response to the initiation of insulitis and subsequent disease, we have investigated a number of aspects of this phenomenon to determine the nature and specificity of the early autoantibodies as well as the time at which autoantibody binds to beta cells. Results of this study demonstrate that NOD/Uf mice are sensitized to islet-cell associated antigens, including GAD, prior to the first appearance of insulitis; that a small percentage of the beta cells of NOD/Uf mice have autoantibody bound to their surface prior to insulitis; that sera collected from preinsulitis NOD/Uf mice contain autoantibodies which will bind to beta cells of both IDD-prone and IDD-resistant mice; and that the autoantibodies which bind pancreatic beta cells are predominantly IgM with lesser amounts of IgG and IgA. These findings suggest that, in the natural course of IDD, insulitis may develop in response to an initial autoantibody-mediated injury of beta cells.

Immunocytochemical evidence for an afferent GABAergic neurotransmission in the guinea pig vestibular system

To implicate gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) as an afferent neurotransmitter (AN), the localization of GABA synthesizing and degradation enzymes; L-glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) and GABA transaminase (GABA-T) was investigated by light and electron microscopy immunocytochemistry in guinea pig vestibular cristae and ganglion cells (GC). GAD-like immunoreactivity was exclusively confined to the sensory hair cell (HC) cytoplasm, suggesting that GAD synthesizes GABA in the HC. GABA-T like immunoreactivity was found within HC, nerve calyces, nerve fibers, and GC, suggesting its participation in terminating transmitter action. These results demonstrate the existence of a GABAergic system in the guinea pig vestibule and strongly support GABA as a vestibular AN.

Differential effects of insulin on choline acetyltransferase and glutamic acid decarboxylase activities in neuron-rich striatal cultures

We studied the effects of insulin, nerve growth factor (NGF), and tetrodotoxin (TTX) on cellular metabolism and the activity of glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) and choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) in neuron-rich cultures prepared from embryonic day 15 rat striatum. Insulin (5 micrograms/ml) increased glucose utilization, protein synthesis, and GAD activity in cultures plated over a range of cell densities (2,800-8,400 cells/mm2). TTX reduced GAD activity; NGF had no effect on GAD activity. Insulin treatment reversibly reduced ChAT activity in cultures plated at densities of greater than 4,000 cells/mm2, and the extent of this reduction increased with increasing cell density. The number of acetylcholinesterase-positive neurons was not reduced by insulin, suggesting that insulin acts by down-regulating ChAT rather than by killing cholinergic neurons. Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) reduced ChAT activity at concentrations 10-fold lower than insulin, suggesting that insulin's effect on ChAT may involve the IGF-1 receptor. NGF increased ChAT activity; TTX had no effect on ChAT activity. These results suggest that striatal cholinergic and GABAergic neurons are subject to differential trophic control.

Basal forebrain neurons and memory: A biochemical, histological, and behavioral study of differential vulnerability to ibotenate and quisqualate

The differential vulnerability of basal forebrain cells to ibotenate (IBO) or quisqualate (QUIS) was investigated in rats. IBO was also coinjected with cystine (CYS) or zinc (Zn). Cortical choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) and glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) activity, neurotensin receptors, and high-affinity choline uptake sites were quantified in conjunction with radioimmunoassays for neurotensin, substance P, and somatostatin; immunocytochemistry for neurotensin-, somatostatin-, Leu-enkephalin-, and ChAT-positive cells; and in situ hybridization histochemistry of somatostatin, substance P, and enkephalin mRNAs. Compared with the performance of controls, continuous alternation performance in a T maze of IBO+Zn or IBO+CYS rats was better than that of IBO rats, whereas the performance of QUIS rats was unimpaired. Of those neurotransmitter systems examined, only ChAT-immunoreactive cells were vulnerable to IBO or QUIS. However, cholinergic cell loss did not correlate with impaired performance.

Effect of glucoprivation on glutamate decarboxylase activity in the ventromedial nucleus

Activity of the GABA-synthesizing enzyme, glutamate decarboxylase (GAD), was measured in brain areas involved in glucoregulation 60 min after a glucoprivie challenge. The rate of GAD activity in the ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus (VMN) increased in a dose-dependent manner in response to intraperitoneal injection of 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG). The increase in VMN GAD activity was significantly correlated with an increase in food intake (r2 = .77, p less than 0.01). The increase in VMN GAD activity was not due to the higher food intake since rats receiving 2-DG and denied access to food also had elevated rates of VMN GAD activity. VMN GAD activity was increased 28% and 32% after intracerebroventricular injection of 2-DG or 5-thioglucose, respectively. The rates of GAD activity in the lateral hypothalamus and area postrema were not affected by either peripherally or centrally administered 2-DG. The increase in VMN GAD activity after glucoprivation may be involved in the regulation of blood glucose by influencing food intake.

Increased density of glutamic acid decarboxylase-containing terminals in the medial preoptic nucleus and the area surrounding the paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus is associated with deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)-salt hypertension

gamma-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) is a major inhibitory neurotransmitter and has been shown to exert considerable influence on the neural control of the cardiovascular function. It is not clear, however, which GABAergic systems are involved in salt-induced hypertension. This study was designed to investigate the GABAergic neurons in specific regions of the brain possibly linked to salt-induced hypertension. After 4 weeks of deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA) and salt treatments, the rats developed cardiac hypertrophy. All of the animals were sacrificed for immunocytochemical localization of GABAergic terminals using specific antibodies to glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD). GAD-positive GABAergic terminal densities in discrete regions of the brain were determined by using morphometric quantitation. Results showed that GABAergic terminal densities in the medial preoptic nucleus and the area lateral to the paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus were significantly increased in DOCA-salt-treated rats 4 weeks after the experiment as compared with 4 week controls. This study provides new evidence to support further the idea that central GABAergic neurons are closely associated with pathogenesis of salt-induced hypertension. Different hypertensive mechanisms between salt-induced hypertension and genetic hypertension are also discussed.

Expression of glutamic acid decarboxylase mRNA in normal and monocularly deprived cat visual cortex

Neurons expressing glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) mRNA were localized by in situ hybridization in normal and monocularly deprived cat visual cortex by using single-stranded RNA probes transcribed from cDNAs cloned in vectors with the T3 and T7 RNA polymerase promoters. In Northern blot analyses, these RNA probes identified 2 forms of GAD mRNA, one of which is approximately 200 bases longer than the other which has previously been identified. The distribution of neurons containing GAD mRNA was compared with the distribution of immunocytochemically identified GABA neurons and in both cases the highest density of labeled neurons was found in layers II, III, and upper VI. All other cellular layers contained a homogeneous, but lower density of labeled cells. Cells expressing GAD mRNA outnumbered GABA immunostained neurons by approximately 10%, but colocalization of GAD mRNA with GABA immunocytochemistry revealed that the two methodologies were detecting the same neuronal population. To determine whether decreased retinal activity affected the levels of GAD mRNA in adult cats, neurons containing GAD mRNA were counted in normal and monocularly deprived visual cortex. However, the number of cells expressing GAD mRNA did not change following monocular deprivation.

Comparison through immunoblotting of glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) from newborn and adult rat brain

Immunochemical characterization of glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) from brain extracts of newborn and adult rats was investigated using a GAD antiserum that was previously raised against brain GAD from adult rats. According to the immunoprecipitation and saturation curves, no significant differences could be found as to the recognition of newborn and adult GAD by the antiserum. On immunoblots, both extracts revealed the same two immunolabelled bands (mol.wt. 59,000 and 62,000 +/- 2000 Da). In both cases, the lightest band showed the strongest staining. Quantitative analysis of the immunolabelling indicated that each immunolabelled band was enriched about 10-fold in the adult brain extract. These data did not reveal any difference between newborn and adult GAD that was reminiscent of the difference found in an earlier study between GAD from lower and higher vertebrates. Whatever the regulatory mechanism responsible for the presence of two forms of GAD in the adult brain, it is already fully operative in newborn animals.

Neurogenesis of glutamic acid decarboxylase immunoreactive cells in the hippocampus of the mouse. II: Area dentata

The temporal patterns of neurogenesis of cells showing glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) immunoreactivity were determined in the area dentata of the mouse. Pregnant C57Bl mice received pulse injections of (3H)thymidine from E11 through E17 (E0 being the day of mating). The distribution of (3H)thymidine-labeled, GAD-positive neurons in the hilus and in the different strata of the fascia dentata (stratum infragranulosum, stratum granulosum, stratum moleculare) were recorded in adult animals. A radial gradient of neurogenesis of GAD-positive cells in the area dentata was not apparent. In the transverse axis, neurogenesis of GAD-positive cells seemed to follow a faint suprapyramidal to infrapyramidal gradient, which was due to differential timing of neurogenesis of GAD-positive cells destined for the stratum infragranulosum of the suprapyramidal and infrapyramidal blades of the fascia dentata. GABAergic neurons in the fascia dentata comprise a limited number of well-defined cell types. All of the different morphologic types of GAD-positive neurons present in the area dentata were generated prenatally. These diverse forms did not have specific times of neurogenesis. These results support the concept that the adult morphology of GAD-positive cells in the area dentata of the mouse do not bear any relationship to their times of origin.

Neurogenesis of glutamic acid decarboxylase immunoreactive cells in the hippocampus of the mouse. I: Regio superior and regio inferior

The neurogenetic gradients of neurons showing glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) immunoreactivity were determined in the regio superior and in the regio inferior of the mouse hippocampus. Pregnant C57Bl mice received pulse injections of (3H)thymidine from E11 through E17 (E0 being the day of mating). Distributions of (3H)thymidine-labeled, GAD-positive neurons in the different strata of the hippocampus proper were recorded in adult animals. GAD-positive neurons in this region are generated prenatally. Radial gradients of neurogenesis of GAD-positive cells are characterized by two main features: 1) with the exception of the stratum lacunosum-moleculare and its interface with the stratum radiatum, GAD-positive neurons of the plexiform strata are generated before those destined for the pyramidal layer; 2) within the pyramidal layer, GAD-positive cells are positioned according to an inside-out sequence. In the transverse axis, neurogenesis of GAD-positive cells follows a regio inferior to regio superior gradient. This gradient is due to prolonged neurogenesis of GAD-positive cells for the pyramidal layer in the regio superior. Given the selective laminar disposition of the GABAergic interneurons in the hippocampus, the present authors explored whether or not the diverse types of these interneurons could have specific birth dates and concluded that no relationship exists between birth dates and adult phenotypes of GAD-immunoreactive cells in the mouse hippocampus proper.

Hypothalamic gamma-aminobutyric acid neurons project to the neocortex

Three groups of gamma-aminobutyric acid--containing neurons were found in the mammillary region of the posterior hypothalamus. The groups correspond to the tuberal, caudal, and postmammillary caudal magnocellular nuclei. Many cells in these nuclei were retrogradely labeled with fast blue after the injection of this fluorescent dye into the neocortex. Immunohistochemical experiments showed that these same neurons also contained the gamma-aminobutyric acid-synthesizing enzyme glutamate decarboxylase. These results provide morphological evidence for a gamma-aminobutyric acid pathway arising in magnocellular neurons of the posterior hypothalamus and innervating the neocortex.