GAT-1 developmental expression in the rat cerebellar cortex: Basket and pinceau formation

In view of the key role exerted by neurotransmitter transporters in the synaptic transmission, the expression of GABA transporter GAT-1 was analysed during cerebellar development, when relevant processes of synapse maturation take place. GAT-1-immunoreactive (IR) structures started to be detected on PD 8-9, at the low molecular and Purkinje cell layer, coincident with the onset of functional inhibitory synapses on Purkinje neurons. By PD 18, GAT-1-IR structures completely ensheathed the Purkinje cell somata thus outlining the characteristic perisomatic formation, whereas GAT-1 wrapping on the axon initial segment started to be detected only at PD 15, and the mature form of the pinceau was fully developed from PD 23 on. These results, when compared with the functional maturation of the GABAergic input to Purkinje cells, indicate that GAT-1 may play a significant role in the differentiation of basket interneuron-Purkinje cell circuit.