Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UNIPROT:P01275 (glucagon)
 26,492 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Amacrine cells of the vertebrate retina comprise multiple neurochemical types. Yet details of their electrophysiological and morphology properties as they relate to neurotransmitter content are limited. This issue of relating light responsiveness, dendritic projection, and neurotransmitter content has been addressed in the retinal slice preparation of the tiger salamander. Amacrine cells were whole-cell clamped and stained with Lucifer yellow (LY), then processed to determine their immunoreactivity (IR) to GABA, glycine, dopamine or tyrosine hydroxylase (TOH), and glucagon antisera. Widefield, ON-OFF amacrine cells were glycine-IR. The processes of these cells extended laterally in the inner plexiform layer (IPL) from 250-600 microns. They were either multistratified in the IPL or monostratified near the IPL midline. Three multistratified ON-OFF narrowfield glycine-IR cells also were found. Four types of ON amacrine cells were found to be GABA-IR; all types had their processes concentrated in the proximal IPL (sublamina b). Type I cells were narrowfield (approximately 100 microns) with a compact projection. Type II cells were widefield (220-300 microns) with a sparse projection. Type III cells had an asymmetrical projection and varicose processes. Type IV cells were pyriform and monostratified in sublamina b. One narrowfield ON-OFF amacrine cell, with processes broadly distributed in the middle of the IPL, was GABA-IR. This cell appeared similar to an ON-OFF cell that was glycine-IR and may comprise a type in which GABA and glycine colocalize. Another class of amacrine cell, with processes forming a major plexus along the distal border of the IPL and a lesser plexus in the proximal IPL, produced slow responses at light ON and OFF; these cells were dopamine/TOH-IR. A narrowfield class of transient ON-OFF amacrine cell, with processes ramifying throughout both sublaminae a and b of the IPL, were glucagon-IR; these cells appeared to be dye-coupled at the soma. We have shown that, with respect to GABA, glycine, dopamine, and glucagon, salamander amacrine cells fall into rather discrete groups on the basis of ramification patterns in the IPL and responses to photic stimulation. The physiological, structural, and neurochemical diversity of amacrine cells is indicative of multiple and complex roles in retinal processing.
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PMID:Amacrine cells in the tiger salamander retina: morphology, physiology, and neurotransmitter identification. 168 78

The aim of this study was to localize cells immunoreactive for glutamate decarboxylase (GAD), the enzyme of GABA synthesis, in pyloric and oxyntic regions of the rat stomach as well as in the rat and mouse pancreas. GAD immunocytochemistry was carried out on polyethylene glycol or cryostat sections of alkaline paraformaldehyde fixed tissue, with simultaneous immunolabelling of various gastro-pancreatic hormones for topographical comparison. In the rat stomach, nerve fibers displaying intense GAD-like immunoreactivity were seen in the myenteric plexus, the circular muscular layer, the submucosa and the lamina propria of the mucosa. But, they were absent from the submucous plexus. Colchicine treatment of the rats allowed to detect some labelled perikarya in the myenteric plexus suggesting that the GABAergic innervation is at least partly intrinsic to the stomach. In the oxyntic and pyloric mucosa, endocrine cells appeared immunostained for GAD. However, the nature of their hormones remained unknown since double immunodetections revealed that they were immunoreactive neither for gastrin nor for somatostatin. In the rat and mouse pancreas, GAD-like immunoreactivity was found in islet cells which corresponded only to insulin-secreting cells. Somatostatin-, glucagon- and pancreatic polypeptide-immunopositive cells were devoid of GAD immunolabelling. No GAD-like immunoreactivity was detected in the exocrine tissue and innervation. These results strenghten the hypothesis that GABA is not only a neurotransmitter in the stomach but that it could also be an endocrine or paracrine factor in the stomach and pancreas.
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PMID:Localization of GAD-like immunoreactivity in the pancreas and stomach of the rat and mouse. 178 8

gamma-Aminobutyric acid (GABA), a prominent inhibitory neurotransmitter, is present in high concentrations in beta-cells of islets of Langerhans. The GABA shunt enzymes, glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) and GABA transaminase (GABA-T), have also been localized in islet beta-cells. With the recent demonstration that the 64,000-M, antigen associated with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus is GAD, there is increased interest in understanding the role of GABA in islet function. Only a small component of beta-cell GABA is contained in insulin secretory granules, making it unlikely that GABA, coreleased with insulin, is physiologically significant. Our immunohistochemical study of GABA in beta-cells of intact islets indicates that GABA is associated with a vesicular compartment distinctly different from insulin secretory granules. Whether this compartment represents a releasable pool of GABA has yet to be determined. GAD in beta-cells is associated with a vesicular compartment, similar to the GABA vesicles. In addition, GAD is found in a unique extensive tubular cisternal complex (GAD complex). It is likely that the GABA-GAD vesicles are derived from this GAD-containing complex. Physiological studies on the effect of extracellular GABA on islet hormonal secretion have had variable results. Effects of GABA on insulin, glucagon, and somatostatin secretion have been proposed. The most compelling evidence for GABA regulation of islet hormone secretion comes from studies on somatostatin secretion, where it has an inhibitory effect. We present new evidence demonstrating the presence of GABAergic nerve cell bodies at the periphery of islets with numerous GABA-containing processes extending into the islet mantle. This close association between GABAergic neurons and islet alpha- and delta-cells strongly suggests that GABA inhibition of somatostatin and glucagon secretion is mediated by these neurons. Intracellular beta-cell GABAA and its metabolism may have a role in beta-cell function. New evidence indicates that GABA shunt activity is involved in regulation of insulin secretion. In addition, GABA or its metabolites may regulate proinsulin synthesis. These new observations provide insight into the complex nature of GABAergic neurons and beta-cell GABA in regulation of islet function.
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PMID:Structural and functional considerations of GABA in islets of Langerhans. Beta-cells and nerves. 193 99

The aim of this study was to localize the high-affinity uptake of [3H]-GABA in Langerhans islets of rats aged 2.5, 7.5, and 75 days. On high-resolution autoradiography, cells presenting characteristic somatostatin granules were labeled, whereas others containing similar granules appeared nearly devoid of silver grains. Immunogold detection with antisomatostatin antibodies and high-resolution autoradiography suggested that uptake of GABA is indeed performed by somatostatin cells. To test the heterogeneity of uptake frequency in somatostatin cells, a second approach, coupling immunohistochemistry with anti-somatostatin, anti-PP, anti-glucagon, anti-glicentin, and anti-CCK antibodies, and low-resolution autoradiography, was applied on paraffin sections. It demonstrated that the uptake ability is not characteristic of all the somatostatin cells but of only a subpopulation of them. A few cells not immunoreactive to the anti-somatostatin antiserum also appeared to be able to take up GABA. Moreover, except for a rare few, the PP-glucagon-, glicentin-, and CCK-39-immunoreactive cells were not labeled by autoradiography.
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PMID:High-affinity GABA uptake in a subpopulation of somatostatin cells in rat pancreas. 256

Culturing sympathetic ganglion neurons in vitro may modify phenotypic expression of some neurotransmitters. For dorsal root ganglia (DRG), contradictory results have been reported; most studies have used immature material. We have therefore performed a detailed immunocytochemical analysis of the transmitter content of cultured adult rat DRG neurons. To demonstrate possible modifications of neurotransmitter phenotypes, we have compared the results obtained with the same techniques on neurons cultured for 3 days and on freshly dissociated DRG cells. Also, the transmitter profile of cultured neurons was compared with that known from in situ studies. Out of 22 antigens studied, 20 were detected in cultured DRG neurons. All of them were expressed in small and/or intermediate-sized cells. Large neurons only contained CGRP, VIP, NPY, beta-END, ENK, and GABA. The percentage of immunostained neurons varied for the various antisera: less than 10% of cultured neurons were positive for ENK, beta-LPH, beta-END, DYN, VASO, and OXY; 10-30% for SOM, CCK, CAT, and SP; and greater than 30% for NPY, CRF, GLU, NT, VIP, GABA, GRP, CGRP, 5-HT, and TRH. In the latter two groups of transmitters (except CGRP), the proportion of immunoreactive neurons was by far larger in cultured than in freshly dissociated DRG. The most pronounced (greater than 25%) increase in the proportion of positively stained neurons after culturing was observed for the GRP, CRF, TRH, and 5-HT antisera. Serotonin was the only transmitter identified in cultured but not in freshly dissociated cells. These data indicate, on one hand, that various antigens, for example, CAT, GABA, NT, TRH, NPY, beta-LPH, and beta-END, which up to now have not been described in DRG in situ, can be detected immunocytochemically a few hours after dissociation of adult rat DRG. On the other hand, several transmitters, for example, VIP, NPY, SP, GABA, GLU, NT, GRP, CRF, TRH, and 5-HT, are expressed in a significantly higher proportion of cells in cultured than in freshly dissociated preparations. This might reflect a change in the phenotypic expression of transmitters due to the new environment generated by the culture conditions, a hypothesis that can be tested by measuring specific mRNA levels. Moreover, considering the plasticity and multipotentiality of their transmitter phenotype, cultured adult DRG neurons might represent an interesting material for autografts into the injured central nervous system.
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PMID:Neurotransmitter phenotype plasticity in cultured dissociated adult rat dorsal root ganglia: an immunocytochemical study. 256 40

The ability of certain neuropeptides (glucagon, somatostatin, leu-enkephalin and neurotensin) to release known neurotransmitters (glycine, GABA, dopamine and 5-hydroxytryptamine) was tested in the chicken retina. Tritiated neurotransmitters were injected intravitreally in chicken eyes. After excision, the retina was stimulated in vitro with the neuropeptide in micromolar concentrations while monitoring the efflux of radioactivity from the retina. A rise of the efflux represents a stimulus dependent release. Neurotensin release [3H] glycine, [3H]dopamine and [3H]5-hydroxytryptamine. Leu-enkephalin released [3H]dopamine and somatostatin released [3H]5-hydroxytryptamine. Glucagon was without effect. [3H]GABA was not released by any of the neuropeptides.
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PMID:Neurotransmitter release by certain neuropeptides in the chicken retina. 286 56

gamma-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) is found in high concentrations in the pancreatic islet. In addition, enzymes regulating the level of GABA (L-glutamate decarboxylase and GABA-alpha-ketoglutarate transaminase) have been immunohistochemically localized in the medullary cells of the islet. In this study, an immunofluorescence and elution/restaining protocol is used to determine the distribution of GABA and either insulin, glucagon, or somatostatin in a tissue section. GABA was not detected within the islet alpha- or delta-cells but was determined to be localized within the insulin-containing beta-cells.
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PMID:Immunohistochemical colocalization of GABA and insulin in beta-cells of rat islet. 287 11

OFF-center amacrine cells were intracellularly recorded and stained with Lucifer yellow to investigate the cell correlations between photoresponses and morphological features. All OFF-amacrine cells were monostratified and branched within the outer half of the inner plexiform layer. In the flat-mounted retina, however, three distinct morphological classes were distinguishable, which correlated with observed physiological differences. Class 1 consisted of wide-field, stellate amacrine cells with long, thin processes, which branched only close to the soma. The diameter of the circular dendritic field ranged from 0.8 mm to 2.0 mm. Their photoresponse to spot stimulation was a hyperpolarization during light-ON and a small depolarization after light-OFF. They showed strong antagonistic center-surround organization of the receptive field. Its size was approximately equal to the dendritic field size. Class 2 consisted of wide-field, giant amacrine cells with a "central" dendritic field formed by thick dendrites, and a "peripheral" dendritic field formed by a few long and thin, "axonlike" processes. The shape of the dendritic field was elongated, with the long axis parallel to the visual streak. Their receptive field size was considerably smaller than their dendritic field size, which was several millimeters of diameter along the long axis. Their photoresponse to spot stimulation was a fast depolarization after light-OFF, and about 50% of these cells showed strong antagonistic center-surround receptive field organization. Class 3 consisted of small- or medium-field, "starburstlike" amacrine cells with circular dendritic fields of 0.1 mm to 0.6 mm diameter. Their fine, beaded dendrites branched predominantly in the distal parts of the dendritic field. their photoresponses to light were similar to those of the giant amacrine cells; however, their receptive field size exceeded the dendritic field size. Radial sections of the retinas with labeled cells were incubated in antisera to reveal the putative transmitters GABA, serotonin, neurotensin, met-enkephalin and glucagon. No immunoreactivity with these antisera was detected within the stained OFF-center amacrine cells.
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PMID:Physiological and morphological characterization of OFF-center amacrine cells in the turtle retina. 341

The intrinsic processes involved in the initiation and arrest of seizures are not completely understood. Cortical and cerebellar inhibitory mechanisms, accumulation of metabolic products, and glial uptake of extracellular potassium (K+o), anions, and released neurotransmitters are all important processes that limit focal firing and terminate a seizure once it has been initiated. Of these, the intrinsic cortical inhibitory mechanisms--i.e., recurrent and surround inhibition--appear to be the most important. Active cation and anion transport processes are two metabolic events that have yet to be elucidated but clearly could be involved in terminating a seizure discharge. For example, without an active mechanism to transport chloride, opening of the chloride channel by the inhibitory transmitter GABA would not result in increased chloride permeability. The transient hypoxia and hypercapnia and lactic acidosis that follows a severe tonic-clonic seizure produces a mixed systemic metabolic and respiratory acidosis. In experimental animals, the hypercapnia that results is sufficient to block seizure discharges. Increasing the CO2 concentration significantly reduces the extension to flexion (E/F) ratio of mice given maximal electroshock seizures (MES) and increases the time required for 50% of the animals to recover sufficiently from a first MES to be able to have another MES. The decreased E/F ratio and the increased recovery time (RT50) are both indicative of a decrease in seizure activity. Since the extent to which CO2 is allowed to accumulate in the brain is regulated by the glial specific enzyme carbonic anhydrase (CA), it follows that the glial cell has an integral role in the mechanisms involved in arresting seizure activity. In contrast, hypoxia increased the E/F ratio and decreased the RT50, evidence that seizure activity was enhanced. Another metabolic factor affecting duration of seizure activity, susceptibility to seizures, and recovery from seizures is glucose. Recovery from seizures depends in part on an adequate supply of this energy source. An inverse correlation (R = 0.95) between RT50 and blood sugar was found when the blood sugar was altered experimentally by treatments that altered the endocrine status (pancreatectomy, treatment with alloxan, cortisol, insulin, glucagon, and dextrose). Since glial cells contain (as glycogen) the small amount of glucose present in the brain, they probably hasten the ability of the brain to recover normal function following a seizure.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
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PMID:Role of glial cation and anion transport mechanisms in etiology and arrest of seizures. 370 23

It is now clear that a variety of neuropeptides interact with the more classically defined neurotransmitters to stimulate or inhibit feeding. An extensive peripheral peptide satiety system has been identified. Peptides involved in this system include cholecystokinin, bombesin, gastrin-releasing peptide, glucagon, somatostatin, and possibly thyrotropin-releasing hormone and calcitonin. Some of these peptides appear to inhibit feeding by activating ascending fibers in the vagus, whereas others exert their actions independent of the vagus. In addition, neuropeptides appear to play a role in producing the neuromodulatory effects of taste on appetite, and hormones from the endocrine system modulate neuropeptide effects on feeding. The central appetite regulatory system appears to be arranged in a cascade, with an interaction between dynorphin and dopamine producing a part of the feeding drive. This drive is held in check by a variety of neuropeptides including calcitonin, corticotropin-releasing factor, and bombesin. In turn, these peptides are modulated by a norepinephrine-alpha-aminobutyric acid (GABA) system. Neurotensin, serotonin, cyclohistidyl proline diketopiperazine, and the peripheral satiety system appear to modulate the norepinephrine-GABA disinhibitory system. By the judicious use of neuropharmacological modeling we have developed a model of the neurotransmitter interactions involved in appetite regulation that can act as a springboard for the design of future experiments to unravel the mysteries of appetite regulation.
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PMID:Neuropeptides and appetite: contribution of neuropharmacological modeling. 614 55


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