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Vesicular glutamate transporter 2 in the brain-gut axis
Q Tong1, J Ma, A L Kirchgessner
1Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Program of Neural and Behavioral Sciences, Box 29, State University of New York Downstate Medical Center, 450 Clarkson Ave, Brooklyn NY 11203, USA.
Neuroreport
|December 14, 2001
Summary
Vesicular glutamate transporters (VGLUTs) are present in gut neurons, not just central neurons. This suggests glutamate acts as a primary afferent neurotransmitter in the gut, transmitting signals to the brain.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Gastroenterology
- Neurochemistry
Background:
- Vesicular glutamate transporters (VGLUTs) were previously believed to be exclusive to central neurons.
- Glutamate is a key neurotransmitter in the central nervous system.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence and role of VGLUTs in enteric neurons.
- To determine if glutamate functions as a neurotransmitter in the gut's primary afferent neurons.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemistry to detect VGLUT2 expression in gut neurons across multiple species, including humans.
- Co-localization studies to identify neurotransmitters stored with VGLUT2.
- Retrograde tracing using FluoroGold to identify extrinsic neurons innervating the stomach.
Main Results:
- VGLUT2 immunoreactivity was observed in intrinsic primary afferent neurons within the submucosal and myenteric plexuses of the gut.
- VGLUT2-positive varicosities were found apposed to enteric nerve cell bodies, often co-storing choline acetyltransferase and vesicular acetylcholine transporter.
- Retrograde tracing confirmed VGLUT2 expression in nodose and dorsal root ganglia neurons innervating the stomach.
Conclusions:
- VGLUT2 is present in both intrinsic and extrinsic primary afferent neurons of the gut.
- Glutamate is identified as a primary afferent neurotransmitter in the gut.
- Glutamate likely plays a crucial role in transmitting information from the gut mucosa to the enteric plexuses and the brain.