GABA and glycine frequently colocalize in terminals on cat spinal motoneurons

In this ultrastructural study the colocalization of gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA) and glycine in terminals within cat lumbar motoneuronal cell groups was investigated and the frequency of this colocalization was determined. For this purpose the post-embedding immunogold technique was applied on serial sections, using antibodies directed against either GABA or glycine. Analysis of all labelled terminals in a random area of cat motoneuronal cell groups showed that 25 +/- 5% were labelled for GABA only, 29 +/- 6% were labelled for glycine only and 46 +/- 9% were labelled for both GABA and glycine, meaning that nearly two out of every three GABA-labelled terminals were also labelled for glycine and vice versa. Based on these results and on other data suggesting a high frequency of colocalization, it is concluded that in cat motoneuronal cell groups colocalization of GABA and glycine is the rule rather than the exception.