Immunoreactive GABA transaminase within the pancreatic islet is localized in mitochondria of the B-cell

Subcellular localization of gamma aminobutyrate-alpha-ketoglutarate transaminase (GABA-T) in the pancreatic islets of Langerhans was determined by use of an electron microscopic, immunogold post-embedding protocol. The objective of this study was to define the islet cell distribution and subcellular localization of GABA-T. Within the islet, GABA-T was found only in the B-cells and was localized in mitochondria; 78 mitochondria contained 336 gold particles, whereas 245 secretory granules contained only 18 gold particles. Although studies utilizing either the isolated perfused pancreas or cultured islets have shown that exogenous GABA modulates D-cell secretion, in this study immunoreactive GABA-T, the catabolic enzyme for GABA, was not detectable in A- and D-cells of the islet. Control studies substituting normal rabbit serum for the GABA-T antiserum resulted in absence of labeling. These results indicate that the high concentration of GABA present in islet B-cells is catabolized by GABA-T in the mitochondrial compartment, consistent with the possibility that GABA functions as a mediator of B-cell activity.