Chemical heterogeneity in cerebellar Purkinje cells: existence and coexistence of glutamic acid decarboxylase-like and motilin-like immunoreactivities

Purkinje neurons of the cerebellar cortex from a chemically and morphologically heterogeneous population containing some members that have gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), others that have immunoreactivity for motilin, and a small number that have both. The remaining 30-40% of all Purkinje cells have neither of these two neuroactive substances, leaving possibilities for other transmitter candidates. The evidence was compiled from double-staining immunocytochemical procedures performed on single sections of the cerebellum and brain stem in rat, mouse, and monkey. Two polyclonal antibodies were applied in succession, one directed against the midregion and COOH terminus of the 22-amino acid polypeptide motilin and the other against glutamic acid decarboxylase (glutamate decarboxylase; L-glutamate 1-carboxy-lyase, EC 4.1.1.15), the rate-limiting enzyme in the synthesis of the neurotransmitter GABA. The staining combinations employed the immunoperoxidase method, with different chromogens for distinguishing the motilin-like immunoreactivity from glutamic acid decarboxylase immunoreactivity by different colors, or the immunoperoxidase method for one antiserum and immunofluorescence for the other. The locations of both motilin and GABA cell types were mapped. The recognition of motilin in Purkinje cells calls for experimental definition of the role of this substance in the cerebellum and for reevaluation of the roles of Purkinje cells and of GABA in cerebellar function. The significant motilin representation in the flocculus, paraflocculus, and vermis suggests that it may be the Purkinje cell mediative chemical in the vestibular parts of the cerebellum. However, the presence of GABA as well in the same regions indicates that the chemical preference may be at least bimodal.