Immunocytochemical localization of gamma-aminobutyric acid transaminase at cellular and ultrastructural levels.

gamma-Aminobutyric acid transaminase (GABA-Tase; 4-aminobutyrate:2-oxaglutarate aminotransferase, EC 2.6.1.19) immunoreactivity in the rat's cerebellum was studied by light and electron microscopy with indirect immunofluorescence and peroxidase-antiperoxidase methods. Evidence is presented for neuronal and neuroglial compartments of GABA-Tase. Labeled neurons included stellate, basket, Purkinje, and Golgi cells of the cortex and a few large neurons in the deep nuclei. Labeled neuroglia included those surrounding Purkinje cells, their radial fibers in the molecular layer, and astrocytes in the granular layer and deep nuclei. No evidence for sagittal microzonation was found. At the ultrastructural level, GABA-Tase immunoreactive sites were localized to cell surface membranes, intracellular organelles, and the cytoplasmic matrix. GABA-Tase immunoreactivity at synapses could be localized precisely to pre- and postsynaptic membranes in gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-containing as well as non-GABA-containing neurons. Specific label was absent from tissues treated with normal rabbit preimmune sera. GABA-Tase labeling was more intense in tissues from animals anesthetized with ether than with barbiturates and after formaldehyde fixation without glutaraldehyde. Increased GABA-Tase immunoreactivity was observed on treatment with colchicine, GABA with oxamic acid, GABA, harmaline, norepinephrine and glutamate, or diazepam (in order of decreasing effectiveness). Serotonin produced no detectable change, and apomorphine and muscimol decreased the immunoreactivity.