Immunohistochemical demonstration of glutaminase in catecholaminergic and serotoninergic neurons of rat brain.

The presence of phosphate-activated glutaminase in monoaminergic neurons was shown in the rat brain by a double-staining method using a mouse monoclonal anti-glutaminase antibody combined with rabbit antisera against tyrosine hydroxylase, dopamine-beta-hydroxylase, phenylethanolamine-N-methyltransferase or serotonin. Glutaminase-like immunoreactivity was detected within perikarya of many monoaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta, locus ceruleus, raphe nuclei, etc. Possible functional significance of glutaminase in monoamine neurons was discussed.