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Gephyrin-like immunoreactivity is a marker for growing axons in the central nervous system of the immature rat

Lookup NU author(s): Dr Gavin ClowryORCiD

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Abstract

The membrane-associated protein gephyrin can form part of the glycine receptor complex at inhibitory synapses. This study provides evidence for gephyrin localisation in the developing axons of the rat brain and spinal cord, with particular reference to the corticospinal tract. Using a well-characterised monoclonal antibody (MAb 7a) gephyrin-like immunoreactivity was found expressed by growing axons, disappearing as these axons became myelinated. Immunoelectron microscopy localised the antigen to the interior of small, unmyelinated axons in the dorsal funiculus of young rats. Western blot analysis of cervical spinal cord from different post-natal ages only detected one immunoreactive band at ages when immunohistochemistry revealed gephyrin-like immunoreactivity in both the grey matter and corticospinal tract. Furthermore, the molecular weight of this band corresponded to that of gephyrin, suggesting it is present both at synapses and in axons. The known tubulin binding ability of the gephyrin may have a role in stabilisation of microtubules in growing axons.

Publication metadata

Author(s): Fallah Z, Clowry GJ

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Developmental Neuroscience

Year: 1999

Volume: 21

Issue: 1

Pages: 50-57

Print publication date: 01/01/1999

ISSN (print): 0378-5866

ISSN (electronic): 1421-9859

Publisher: S. Karger AG

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1159/000017366

DOI: 10.1159/000017366

PubMed id: 10077702

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