Two types of GABA-containing axon terminals in cerebellar glomeruli of cat: an immunogold-EM study

Exp Brain Res. 1989;74(3):471-9. doi: 10.1007/BF00247349.

Abstract

Immunogold demonstration of GABA was used in ultrathin sections of cerebellar cortex of cat to identify GABA(+) profiles in cerebellar glomeruli. In addition to small, GABA-containing axonal varicosities found at the periphery of all glomeruli, a few complex glomeruli were found to contain a second type of GABA(+) terminal, with a mossy ending appearance. GABA(+) type "I" axon terminals, which were identified as the axonal arborization of local Golgi cells, contained ovoid, small synaptic vesicles. GABA(+) type "II" terminals, however, exhibited large, spheroid synaptic vesicles. Experimental evidence is provided that type "II" GABA(+) mossy like terminals are the endings of nucleocortical fibers.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cats
  • Cerebellum / cytology*
  • Cerebellum / metabolism
  • Gold
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Microscopy, Electron
  • Nerve Endings / metabolism*
  • Nerve Endings / ultrastructure
  • Synaptic Vesicles / ultrastructure
  • gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / metabolism*

Substances

  • gamma-Aminobutyric Acid
  • Gold