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Differential expression of nerve terminal protein isoforms in VAChT‐containing varicosities of the spinal cord ventral horn

Of the different types of synaptic contacts with the mammalian spinal motoneuron, the synapse made by the cholinergic, so‐called C‐terminal of unknown origin and function has special morphological characteristics. Thus, in this synapse, there is no postsynaptic density but rather a large subsynaptic cistern in the motoneuron. To see whether this particular arrangement imposes special demands on the transmitter release machinery, we examined the presence of nerve terminal proteins in the C‐terminal by using immunohistochemistry. Cholinergic nerve fibers and terminals in the spinal cord ventral horn were identified with an antiserum to the vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT) protein. Immunohistochemistry in combination with confocal laser microscopy showed the presence of synaptosomal‐associated protein of 25 kDa (SNAP‐25)‐, syntaxin‐, cysteine string protein (CSP)‐, synuclein‐, synapsin I‐, synapsin I/II‐, synaptotagmin I‐, synaptotagmin I/II‐, synaptophysin‐, and synaptobrevin‐2‐like immunoreactivity (‐LI) in VAChT‐containing C‐terminals. Synaptotagmin III and synaptobrevin 1 could not be demonstrated in this type of terminal. VAChT‐containing varicosities in the Renshaw cell area, with a probable origin from motoneuron axon collaterals, exhibited CSP, synapsin I/II, and synaptobrevin‐1‐LI, but not SNAP‐25‐, syntaxin‐, synuclein‐, synapsin I‐, synaptotagmin I‐, synaptotagmin I/II‐, synaptophysin‐ and synaptobrevin‐2‐LI. The results suggest a differential content of nerve terminal proteins and their isoforms in cholinergic C‐terminals apposing motoneurons and in the Renshaw cell area. It is concluded that C‐terminals contain synaptic proteins necessary for fast transmitter release, and their origin should not be the motoneurons themselves. J. Comp. Neurol. 411:578–590, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.