Glyoxylate oxidoreductase activity and glyoxylate-like molecules in the motor, somatosensory, cyngulate and olfactory areas of the rat frontoparietal cortex. Histoenzymological and immunohistochemical study.

In the present paper the presence of glyoxylate-oxidoreductase (GOR, GLYO-DH) activity and glyoxylate-like molecules has been investigated in several areas of the rat frontoparietal cortex-motor, somatosensory, cyngulate and olfactory areas-, using the histoenzymological and immunocytochemical methods. Antibodies against glyoxylate-like molecules have been obtained using a glyoxylate-BSA conjugate as immunogen. GOR activity as well as immunostaining for glyoxylate-like molecules were observed in the periphery of the perikaryon and neuronal processes of scattered neurons in the above mentioned cortical areas. At the electron microscopic level positive immunoreaction was found associated to synaptic vesicles in axon terminals, and also within glial cells. These findings reveal both the presence of glyoxylate-like molecules and glyoxylate metabolism in neurons of the motor, somatosensory, cyngulate and olfactory areas of the rat frontoparietal cortex. The presence of such molecules associated to synaptic vesicles within the axon terminals suggest the possible involvement of these molecules in some type of neurotransmission.