In vitro Autoradiographic Localization of Amino Acid Receptors and Uptake Sites

Some amino acids may function as neurotransmitters and are presumably released at nerve terminals to interact with specific receptors postsynaptically. Biochemical studies of high-affinity uptake, a potential marker of nerve terminals and of receptor binding, have been employed successfully to elucidate the role of amino acids in the central nervous system (W Walz and J.W. Ferkany, this volume). The recent use of autoradiographic techniques to study uptake and receptors has permitted much greater anatomical resolution than homogenate methods. Other advantages include the ability to study different conditions in consecutive sections, to study human tissues, and to circumvent the blood-brain barrier.