Abstract
We examined protein kinase C gamma-immunoreactivity (PKCgamma-IR) in the substantia gelatinosa (SG) of the rat medullary dorsal horn (MDH). The density of PKCgamma-IR in the MDH was most intense in the SG. The number of neurons with PKCgamma-IR were also much larger in the SG than in the other layers of the MDH. Double-immunohistochemical studies indicated light and electron microscopically that substance P-containing fibers and I-B4 (isolectin from Bandeiraea simplicifolia)-labeled fibers made synapses on SG neurons with PKCgamma-IR, indicating that SG neurons with PKCgamma might receive nociceptive primary afferent fibers. The results support the notion that PKCgamma in the MDH may contribute to the regulation of the nociception.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Afferent Pathways / enzymology*
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Afferent Pathways / ultrastructure
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Animals
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Cell Compartmentation / physiology
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Cell Size / physiology
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Dendrites / enzymology
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Dendrites / ultrastructure
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Immunohistochemistry
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Isoenzymes / metabolism*
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Lectins / metabolism
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Lectins / pharmacokinetics*
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Male
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Microscopy, Electron
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Nociceptors / enzymology*
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Nociceptors / ultrastructure
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Pain / pathology
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Pain / physiopathology
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Presynaptic Terminals / enzymology*
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Presynaptic Terminals / ultrastructure
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Protein Kinase C / metabolism*
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Rats
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Rats, Wistar
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Spinal Nerve Roots / enzymology*
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Spinal Nerve Roots / ultrastructure
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Substance P / metabolism
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Substantia Gelatinosa / enzymology*
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Substantia Gelatinosa / ultrastructure
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Synaptic Transmission / physiology
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Trigeminal Caudal Nucleus / enzymology*
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Trigeminal Caudal Nucleus / ultrastructure
Substances
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Isoenzymes
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Lectins
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Substance P
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protein kinase C gamma
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Protein Kinase C