Morphological evidence for axonal transport of glycogen in neurons innervating cutaneous receptors in Lacerta sicula (Squamata: Reptilia).

Three types of glycogen-containing cutaneous nerve terminals - two of them hitherto unknown - are described. It is shown that the glycogen is synthesized in the perikaryon and transferred to the terminals by means of slow axoplasmic transport.     

The dopaminergic innervation as observed by immunohistochemistry using anti-dopamine serum in the rat cerebral cortex

By using an antiserum raised against dopamine bound to bovine serum albumin, thinner dopamine-labeled nerve terminals were visualized immunohistochemically within neocortical areas, in addition to well-documented dopaminergic innervation into the prefrontal and limbic cortices.     

Morphological evidence for axonal transport of glycogen in neurons innervating cutaneous receptors inLacerta sicula (Squamata: Reptilia)

Summary Three types of glycogen-containing cutaneous nerve terminals — two of them hitherto unknown — are described. It is shown that the glycogen is synthesized in the perikaryon and transferred to the terminals by means of slow axoplasmic transport.     

The localization of [3H]-desipramine in central nerve terminals studied with electron microscope autoradiography and subcellular fractionation.

The cellular and subcellular distribution of [3H]-desipramine (DMI) in rat brain was studied by electron microscope (EM) autoradiography and by subcellular fractionation. A considerable proportion of label was found to be bound to the membranes of presynaptic nerve terminals, as well as to sites inside those terminals.     

Motor nerve terminal defect following tenotomy

Summary Post-tetanic potentiation and the underlying post-tetanic repetition in cat soleus muscle require normal motor nerve terminals. These indices of nerve terminal viability are depressed 10 days and absent 15 days after tenotomy of the soleus muscle.Supported in part by NIH grant NS-11948.     

Immunohistological investigation of N-acetylserotonin in the rat cerebellum after parachlorophenylalanine treatment.

The amount of N-acetylserotonin (NAS) in the granule layer of the rat cerebellum was investigated using immunolohistologic double antibody technique. After 5 days of treatment with parachlorophenylalanine (PCPA) an increase of NAS was observed. The possibility of a differential effect of PCPA on serotonin synthesis in the neurons and the nerve terminals is discussed.     

Immunohistological investigations of N-Acetylserotonin in the rat cerebellum after parachlorophenylalanine treatment

Summary The amount of N-acetylserotonin (NAS) in the granule layer of the rat cerebellum was investigated using immunohistologic double antibody technique. After 5 days of treatment with parachlorophenylalanine (PCPA) an increase of NAS was observed. The possibility of a differential effect of PCPA on serotonin synthesis in the neurons and the nerve terminals is discussed.     

Similar paracrystals of endoplasmic reticulum in the photoemitters and the photoreceptors of scale-worms

Summary Paracrystals of tubular endoplasmic reticulum are the characteristic of the luminous cells in the elytra of polynoïd worms, and they are the sources of luminescence as well as of fluorescence. Structurally similar paracrystals are now found to be the main constituent of the lens in the eyes of all the Aphroditidae.     

The dopaminergic innervation as observed by immunohistochemistry using anti-dopamine serum in the rat cerebral cortex

Summary By using an antiserum raised against dopamine bound to bovine serum albumin, thinner dopamine-labeled nerve terminals were visualized immunohistochemically within neocortical areas, in addition to well-documented dopaminergic innervation into the prefrontal and limbic cortices.This study was supported in part by a Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research on Priority Areas, Japanese Ministry of Education, Science, Culture (No. 62623002).     

Cytologie fine des cellules interstitielles du testicule du poissonLebistes reticulatus R.

Summary The active interstitial cells of the testis ofLebistes reticulatus R. have numerous, big, dense mitochondria of tubular structure and a developed endoplasmic reticulum. The formation of lipochrome pigment granules corresponds to a degenerative evolution of these cells.     

The localization of [3H]-desipramine in central nerve terminals studied with electron microscope autoradiography and subcellular fractionation

Summary The cellular and subcellular distribution of [³H]-desipramine (DMI) in rat brain was studied by electron microscope (EM) autoradiography and by subcellular fractionation. A considerable proportion of label was found to be bound to the membranes of presynaptic nerve terminals, as well as to sites inside those terminals.Acknowledgment. The authors are most grateful to Mr and Mrs Gudelsky for their generous support.     

Glycogen in epidermal nerve terminals of Lacerta sicula (squamata: reptilia).

Proof is given that the granula occuring in the epidermal discoid nerve terminals of Lacerta sicula consist of glycogen. Staining with PA-PbCi shows 300 A sized alpha-particles and 70 A sized beta-particles. The electron-dense boundary appearing after digestion with alpha-amylase consists of limit-dextrins.     

Inhibition of noradrenaline release from sympathetic nerves by pentobarbital

Pentobarbital concentrations of 10--100 micrometer selectively inhibited the noradrenaline release evoked by activation of the nicotinic receptors on the terminals sympathetic nerves of the rabbit heart. Higher concentrations also decreased the noradrenaline release induced by KCl or by electrical stimulation of the nerve axons.     

Structural alterations in rat kidney proximal tubules perfused with fresh autologous serum

Two min of intraluminal perfusion of the rat proximal tubules with autologous serum induced marked ultrastructural alterations including extensive cytoplasmic vesiculation due to swelling of rough endoplasmic reticulum cisternae and occasional extrusion of nuclei and cytoplasm into the lumen. Within 4 min pronounced vesiculation of mitochondria was observed. These findings are consistent with the notion that serum-induced inhibition of proximal tubular fluid absorption is due to cell lysis, presumably mediated by complement activation.     

Changes in cholinesterase activity of muscle after crushing the sciatic nerve of rats

The subcellular distribution of cholinesterase (ChE) was studied in the gastrocnemius muscle of rats after strong or weak nerve crushing. The ChE activities of muscle were decreased to a greater extent by strong crushing than by weak crushing. In particular, the ChE activity of the fraction containing sarcoplasmic reticulum was most greatly decreased. These results suggest that the change in the ChE activity of the microsomal fraction most finely reflects the strength of nerve crushing.     

The topography of posttetanic potentiation in guinea-pig ileum

The myenteric plexus-longitudinal muscle preparation of the guinea-pig ileum offers, by its anatomical arrangement, the possibility of studying a new aspect of posttetanic potentiation (PTP); its topography. Evidence was sought and obtained that during PTP more distal junctional sites of cholinergic nerve terminals may be recruited into the transmitter secretion process.     

Effects of 6-hydroxydopamine on rat carotid body chief cells

Summary Administration of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) in concentrations high enough to cause degeneration of perivascular adrenergic nerve terminals has no morphological effect on the catecholamine-storing cells of the rat carotid body. Uptake of 6-OHDA by carotid body chief cells may be more selective than that exhibited by small-intenselyfluorescent cells and other catecholamine-storing cells which are affected by 6-OHDA. Alternatively, the sustentacular cells which envelope the chief cells may provide an effective barrier against the uptake of 6-OHDA.Supported by a Grant-in-Aid from the American Heart Association (77 630) and with funds contributed in part by the Texas Affiliate.     

Macromolecular complexes at active zones: integrated nano-machineries for neurotransmitter release

The release of neurotransmitters from synaptic vesicles exocytosing at presynaptic nerve terminals is a critical event in the initiation of synaptic transmission. This event occurs at specialized sites known as active zones. The task of faithfully executing various steps in the process is undertaken by careful orchestration of overlapping sets of molecular nano-machineries upon a core macromolecular scaffold situated at active zones. However, their composition remains incompletely elucidated. This review provides an overview of the role of the active zone in mediating neurotransmitter release and summarizes the recent progress using neuroproteomic approaches to decipher their composition. Key proteins of these nano-machineries are highlighted.     

The effect of glutamate,cysteate and related amino acids on insect muscle

Summary Application of Glu, CySO₂ or CySO₃ to blowfly larvae caused paralysis and increased the membrane potential of larval muscle. The contents of Glu and CySO₃ in larval muscle containing motor nerve terminals were markedly decreased after the perfusion of high K⁺ saline solution.     

Extracellular matrix and neuronal movement

Summary During brain development, both neuronal migration and axon guidance are influenced by extracellular matrix molecules present in the environment of the migrating neuronal cell bodies and nerve fibers. Glial laminin is an extracellular matrix protein which these early brain cells preferentially attach to. Extracellular glycosaminoglycans are suggested to function in restricting neuronal cell bodies and axons from certain brain areas. Since laminin is deposited along the radial glial fibers and along the developing nerve pathways in punctate form, the punctate assemblies may be one of the key factors in routing the developing neurons in vivo. This review discusses the role of laminin in neuronal movement given the present concept of the extracellular matrix molecules and their proposed interactions.