IMMUNOCYTOCHEMICAL LOCALIZATION OF GLUTAMATE AND METABOTROPIC GLUTAMATE RECEPTOR,mGluR1, mGluR2/3, mGluR4 IN EARTHWORM, P. ASPERGILLUM / 解剖学报

ABSTRACT

Objective Our purpose is to explore the occurrence and distribution of glutamate and metabotropic glutamate receptor in earthworm, P. aspergillum and to analyze their function significance. Methods By employing immunocytochemistry tchnique, the positive cells of glutamate and metabotropic glutamate receptor, mGluR1, mGluR2/3, mGluR4 in earthworm, P. aspergillum were investigated under a light microscope. Results It was found that glutamate positive cells existed in cerebroganglion, subpharyngeal ganglion, ventral ganglion, neurons between muscle cells,intestinal epithelium and epidermis, that thin and dense glutamate positive fibers distributed in pharyngeal nerve cycle, subpharyngeal ganglion, ventral neurochain, that mGluR1 or mGluR4 positive neurons were detected in cerebroganglion and mGluR2/3 positive neurons weren't observed in earthworm. Conclusion During glutamate positive neurons, some possess remarkable processes and matured appearance from which glutamate positive fibers in pharyngeal nerve cycle, subpharyngeal ganglion, ventral neurochain derive, another have few branches, unmatured appearance in which glutamate doesn't serve as neurotransmitter acting to mGluR1 or mGluR4 of neurons in earthworm cerebroganglion.