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Cocaine‐ and amphetamine‐regulated transcript (CART) peptide immunoreactivity in myenteric plexus neurons of the rat ileum and co‐localization with choline acetyltransferase
Author(s) -
Couceyro Pastor,
Paquet Maryse,
Koylu Ersin,
Kuhar Michael J.,
Smith Yoland
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
synapse
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.809
H-Index - 106
eISSN - 1098-2396
pISSN - 0887-4476
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1098-2396(199809)30:1<1::aid-syn1>3.0.co;2-7
Subject(s) - myenteric plexus , cocaine and amphetamine regulated transcript , choline acetyltransferase , synaptophysin , biology , cart , axon , synaptic vesicle , neurotransmitter , vesicle , microbiology and biotechnology , cholinergic , pathology , central nervous system , neuropeptide , endocrinology , immunohistochemistry , biochemistry , medicine , immunology , mechanical engineering , receptor , membrane , engineering
Cocaine and amphetamine regulated transcript (CART) encodes a novel brain‐enriched protein whose features are reminiscent of a neurotransmitter propeptide. We have now localized CART peptide(s) in the gastrointestinal tract by immunohistochemical methods. Polyclonal antisera raised to CART peptide 106–129 stained neuronal cell bodies and fibers in rat ileum myenteric plexus‐longitudinal muscle tissue preparations. Electron microscopic analysis of thin sections showed immunopositive axon terminals in close apposition to CART‐labelled and unlabelled neuronal cell bodies as well as to the longitudinal muscle. CART peptide‐immunoreactive terminals contained numerous ovoid electron‐lucent vesicles and a few dark‐stained dense‐core vesicles. Light microscopic double labelling studies revealed CART peptide immunoreactivity in a subpopulation of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT)‐immunoreactive neurons. This combined light microscopic and ultrastructural examination of CART peptides in the gastrointestinal tract suggests a role of CART peptides as transmitters or neuromodulators in the peripheral nervous system. Synapse 30:1–8, 1998. © 1998 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.