Co-expression of P2X receptor subunits on rat nodose neurons that bind theisolectin GS-I-B-4

Triple fluorescent histochemistry was used to describe the types of overlap in visceral sensory neurons (nodose ganglion) for the labeling of the isol ectin B-4 from Griffonia simplicifolia type one (GS-I-B-4) and their immuno reactivity (IR) for two of the ATP receptor subunits (P2X(1/3) or P2X(2/3)) . The vast majority of nodose neurons expressed GS-I-B-4-binding and most o f these displayed P2X receptor IR. Most of the P2X-IR was co-expressed on t hese individual nodose neurons (P2X(1/)P2X(3) or P2X(2)/P2X(3)). A very sma ll subpopulation of neurons that were GS-I-B-4 negative but P2X positive di splayed a very high relative intensity of P2X(3)-IR. The functional role th at these expression patterns play in visceral sensory processing is current ly unclear. NeuroReport 12:2995-2997 (C) 2001 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins .