GLUTAMINASE IMMUNOREACTIVE NEURONS IN THE RAT DORSAL-ROOT GANGLION CONTAIN CALCITONIN-GENE-RELATED PEPTIDE (CGRP)

The co-localization of glutaminase and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) was examined with immunohistochemistry in the rat dorsal root ganglion (DRG). The majority of the DRG neurons were immunoreactive fo r glutaminase and all DRG neurons that contained CGRP also contained g lutaminase. These results indicate that some DRG neurons release gluta mate and CGRP from the same axon terminals in the spinal cord. Co-rele ase of glutamate and CGRP from primary afferents may have multiple eff ects including fast and slow neurotransmission of sensory information in the spinal cord.