PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

J E Vaughn

Publications and source records attributed to J E Vaughn.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Association interneurons of embryonic rat spinal cord transiently express the cell surface glycoprotein SNAP/TAG-1.

SNAP/TAG-1 is a 135 kDa glycoprotein of the immunoglobulin superfamily that is transiently expressed upon the surfaces of developing axons. In the embryonic rodent spinal cord, this molecule is expressed by motor neurons, dorsal root ganglion cells, and commissural neurons (Yamamoto et al.: J. Neurosci. 6:3576-3594, 1986; Dodd et al.: Neuron 1:105-116, 1988). The commissural cells are a subset of early-forming dorsal horn interneurons whose axons follow a circumferential course in the embryonic spinal cord. The axons of commissural neurons cross the developing ventral commissure to terminate on contralateral synaptic targets, whereas those of the other subset of circumferential cells, the association interneurons, remain on the same side of the spinal cord to form ipsilateral, terminal synaptic fields. The difference between the axonal trajectories of these two subsets of nerve cells raised the question of whether or not association interneurons would also express the SNAP/TAG-1 epitope and, if so, how would this expression be related to that of the commissural cells. Immunocytochemistry for SNAP/TAG-1 and choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) was used to answer these questions. The results indicated that association interneurons expressed SNAP/TAG-1 epitopes and that this expression began later and lasted longer than that of the commissural neurons. Other new findings of this study included the identification of a lateral subgroup of commissural fibers that expressed SNAP/TAG-1 later than their more medially located counterparts, and these lateral fibers were more pronounced in the thoracic spinal cord than at cervical levels.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Small cholinergic neurons within fields of cholinergic axons characterize olfactory-related regions of rat telencephalon.

Small immunoreactive cholinergic neurons were detected in the main and accessory olfactory bulbs of the rat with choline acetyltransferase immunocytochemistry. Such cells were also found in additional forebrain regions that received direct efferent innervation from the main olfactory bulb, such as the anterior olfactory nucleus, two subdivisions of the olfactory amygdala (nucleus of the lateral olfactory tract and anterior cortical nucleus), and the cortical-amygdaloid transition zone. Cholinergic neurons located in these olfactory-related regions were similar to each other morphologically and to those previously described by other investigators in the cerebral cortex, the hippocampus, and the basolateral amygdala. Somal measurements indicated that choline acetyltransferase-positive cells in olfactory-related regions were all essentially the same size, measuring 13-14 by 8-9 microns in major and minor diameters, respectively. In addition, these small cells were commonly bipolar in form with thin, smooth dendrites, and such characteristics have generally been associated with intrinsic, local circuit neurons in the forebrain. Depending on their location, however, these small cholinergic neurons differed from each other with regard to their frequency and dendritic orientation within planar sections. Choline acetyltransferase-immunoreactive cells in most cortical regions were relatively numerous and usually exhibited long, planar dendrites oriented perpendicularly to the pial surface. In contrast, dendrites of cholinergic neurons found in "cortical-like" regions (e.g. olfactory bulbs or nucleus of the lateral olfactory tract) were relatively sparse in number and appeared to be distinctly non-planar and randomly oriented. Despite these differences, the small choline acetyltransferase-positive cells had many features in common, including their distribution within forebrain regions that contained substantial terminal networks of choline acetyltransferase-positive axons thought to be derived primarily from the basal forebrain complex. In the rat, at least, the presence of small cholinergic interneurons within forebrain regions innervated by the large cholinergic projection neurons of the basal forebrain seems to be developing as a general principle of telencephalic organization. However, differences in both the size and the distribution of the terminal fields derived from each source imply a functional diversity between the intrinsic and extrinsic cholinergic systems of the forebrain.

Amygdala↗
PubMed1991

Generation patterns of immunocytochemically identified cholinergic neurons at autonomic levels of the rat spinal cord.

The time at which a neuron is "born" appears to have significant consequences for the cell's subsequent differentiation. As part of a continuing investigation of cholinergic neuronal development, we have combined ChAT immunocytochemistry and [3H]thymidine autoradiography to determine the generation patterns of somatic and autonomic motor neurons at upper thoracic (T1-3), upper lumbar (L1-3), and lumbosacral (L6-S1) levels of the rat spinal cord. Additionally, the generation patterns of two subsets of cholinergic interneurons (partition cells and central canal cluster cells) were compared with those of somatic and autonomic motor neurons. Embryonic day 11 (E11) was the first day of cholinergic neuronal generation at each of the three spinal levels studied, and it also was the peak generation day for somatic and autonomic neurons in the upper thoracic spinal cord. The peak generation of homologous neurons at upper lumbar and lumbosacral spinal levels occurred at E12 and E13, respectively. Somatic and autonomic motor neurons were generated synchronously, and their production at each rostrocaudal level was virtually completed within a 2-day period. Cholinergic interneurons were generated 1 or 2 days later than motor neurons at the same rostrocaudal level. In summary, the birthdays of all spinal cholinergic neurons studied followed the general rostrocaudal spatiotemporal gradient of spinal neurogenesis. In addition, the generation of cholinergic interneurons also followed the general ventrodorsal gradient. In contrast, however, autonomic motor neurons disobeyed the rule of a ventral-to-dorsal progression of spinal neuronal generation, thus adding another example in which autonomic motor neurons display unusual developmental patterns.

Acetylcholine↗
PubMed1991

Development of rostrocaudal dendritic bundles in rat thoracic spinal cord: analysis of cholinergic sympathetic preganglionic neurons.

Using monoclonal antibodies to choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), we have analyzed the development of the dendritic bundles formed by cholinergic sympathetic preganglionic neurons (SPNs) in relationship to changes in the organization of glial fibers. In adult rat thoracic spinal cord, SPNs in the intermediolateral (IML) and central autonomic (CA) regions extend dendrites in both the mediolateral and rostrocaudal directions, forming a ladder-like pattern in horizontal sections of thoracic spinal cord. We report that, while the mediolateral dendrites form prenatally, the rostrocaudal dendritic bundles are not detected until at least a week later, during early postnatal life. The rostrocaudal dendrites develop rapidly during the first postnatal week, and achieve an adult-like pattern by postnatal day 14. The observed ontogenetic arrangements of dendritic bundles were correlated with the developing organization of astroglial processes with which they are intimately associated. While the appearance of mediolateral dendrites is consistent with the radial organization of glial in the embryonic spinal cord, the developmental time course of the rostrocaudal dendritic bundles coincides with the transformation of glial cells from this predominantly radial or transverse orientation to the randomly-oriented, stellate pattern of mature astrocytes. This temporal association suggests that ontogenetic changes in the organization of glial cells may contribute to the differential development of mediolateral and rostrocaudal dendritic patterns in the spinal cord.

Aging↗
PubMed1991

Embryonic development of choline acetyltransferase in thoracic spinal motor neurons: somatic and autonomic neurons may be derived from a common cellular group.

This investigation focused on the relationship between neurotransmitter phenotype expression and rat motor neuron development, as studied with choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) immunocytochemical techniques. The development of two subclasses of motor neurons, somatic and autonomic efferents, was examined in the upper thoracic spinal cord. ChAT was first detected in a few neurons on embryonic day 12 1/2 (E12 1/2), and in numerous cells located in a single, ventrolaterally located column in the intermediate zone on E13. By E14, this group of ChAT-positive neurons was more intensely immunoreactive, and their axons could be traced to appropriate targets in developing somatic muscle and paravertebral sympathetic ganglia. During the E15-16 period, somatic and autonomic motor neurons separated into two distinct subgroups, with the latter cells being observed to translocate dorsally. By E17, these autonomic motor neurons reached their final positions in the midportion of the intermediate zone. The autonomic motor neurons were observed to extend transverse dendritic bundles across the spinal cord between E15-16, but evidence of the longitudinal bundles of sympathetic preganglionic dendrites was not observed until after birth. A recent study of cholinergic thoracic motor neurons found that both somatic and autonomic cells were generated synchronously during the E11-12 period (Barber et al., Soc Neurosci Abstr 15:588, 1989). In combination with the present results, these data indicate that no more than 1 1/2 days are necessary after motor neuron genesis before a few cells begin to express detectable levels of ChAT, and that no more than 2 days are required before large numbers express this marker of the cholinergic phenotype. Further comparisons of the present findings with those of previous investigations of the development of both somatic and autonomic motor neurons (Dennis et al., Dev Biol 81:266, 1981; Rubin, J Neurosci 5:685, 697, 1985) indicate that these cells contain ChAT at the time their axons are growing toward their respective peripheral targets 1 day before the time when physiological evidence of function is manifest. Furthermore, the present results suggest that both subclasses of motor neurons initially migrate together from the ventricular zone into a single motor column within the ventral intermediate zone, and that the autonomic neurons subsequently translocate dorsally. Thus, autonomic motor neurons appear to be an exception to the generalization that postmitotic neurons migrate directly from the germinal zone to their final positions within the central nervous system.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Migration patterns of sympathetic preganglionic neurons in embryonic rat spinal cord.

The displacement of immature neurons from their place of origin in the germinal epithelium toward their adult positions in the nervous system appears to involve migratory pathways or guides. While the importance of radial glial fibers in this process has long been recognized, data from recent investigations have suggested that other mechanisms might also play a role in directing the movement of young neurons. We have labeled autonomic preganglionic cells by microinjections of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) into the sympathetic chain ganglia of embryonic rats in order to study the migration and differentiation of these spinal cord neurons. Our results, in conjunction with previous observations, suggest that the migration pattern of preganglionic neurons can be divided into three distinct phases. In the first phase, the autonomic motor neurons arise in the ventral ventricular zone and migrate radially into the ventral horn of the developing spinal cord, where, together with somatic motor neurons, they form a single, primitive motor column (Phelps P. E., Barber R. P., and Vaughn J. E. (1991). J. Comp. Neurol. 307:77-86). During the second phase, the autonomic motor neurons separate from the somatic motor neurons and are displaced dorsally toward the intermediate spinal cord. When the preganglionic neurons reach the intermediolateral (IML) region, they become progressively more multipolar, and many of them undergo a change in alignment, from a dorsoventral to a mediolateral orientation. In the third phase of autonomic motor neuron development, some of these cells are displaced medially, and occupy sites between the IML and central canal. The primary and tertiary movements of the preganglionic neurons are in alignment with radial glial processes in the embryonic spinal cord, an arrangement that is consistent with a hypothesis that glial elements might guide autonomic motor neurons during these periods of development. In contrast, during the second phase, the dorsal translocation of preganglionic neurons occurs in an orientation perpendicular to radial glial fibers, indicating that glial elements are not involved in the secondary migration of these cells. The results of previous investigations have provided evidence that, in addition to glial processes, axonal pathways might provide a substrate for neuronal migration. Logically, therefore, it is possible that the secondary dorsolateral translocation of autonomic preganglionic neurons could be directed along early forming circumferential axons of spinal association interneurons, and this hypothesis is supported by the fact that such fibers are appropriately arrayed in both developmental time and space to guide this movement.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Generation patterns of immunocytochemically identified cholinergic neurons in rat brainstem.

Combined [3H]thymidine autoradiographic and choline acetyltransferase (ChAT)-immunocytochemical techniques were used to answer questions concerning the generation of specific classes and subclasses of cholinergic neurons in rat brainstem. First, the generation of rostrally and caudally located neurons of the same class (i.e. somatic efferent oculomotor and hypoglossal nuclei, respectively) were compared. Results indicated that, although embryonic day 11 (E11) was the peak birthday for both nuclei, hypoglossal neurons were generated significantly earlier than oculomotor neurons, indicating a caudorostral generation gradient for brainstem somatic motor nuclei. Second, the generation patterns of 3 different subclasses of motor neurons at the same brainstem level were compared; namely those of the somatic efferent hypoglossal nucleus (XII), the general visceral efferent dorsal nucleus of the vagus (X), and the predominantly special visceral efferent nucleus ambiguus. All 3 subclasses of cholinergic cells had the same peak day (E11) and overall period of generation (E11-12). However, statistical analyses indicated a precocious generation of nucleus ambiguus, but no developmental differences between N, XII and N. X. It is suggested that nucleus ambiguus is formed earlier than N. XII and N. X, due to its more ventral location within a ventrodorsal neurogenetic gradient. Third, the generation patterns of different classes of large cholinergic neurons were examined. Specifically, the birthdays of cholinergic non-motor projection neurons of the pedunculopontine-laterodorsal tegmental nuclei (PPT-LDT) were contrasted to those of the cholinergic brainstem motor neurons. The peak birthdays of both rostrally and caudally located motor neurons were two days earlier than those of the PPT-LDT neurons. Thus, large cholinergic cells projecting to peripheral targets are born significantly earlier than those projecting within the CNS, even though the former are located more rostrally on the caudorostral neurogenetic gradient. This represents an apparent exception to the emerging rule that cholinergic neurons obey the general gradients of neurogenesis manifest in the regions of the central nervous system where they reside.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Embryonic development of four different subsets of cholinergic neurons in rat cervical spinal cord.

The developmental stage at which a neuron becomes committed to a neurotransmitter phenotype is an important time in its ontogenetic history. The present study examines when choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) is first detected within each of four different subsets of cholinergic neurons previously identified in the cervical enlargement of the spinal cord: namely, motor neurons, partition cells, central canal cluster cells, and dorsal horn neurons. By examining the temporal sequence of embryonic development of these cholinergic neurons, we can infer the relationships between ChAT expression and other important developmental events. ChAT was first detected reliably on embryonic day 13 (E13) by both biochemical and immunocytochemical methods, and it was localized predominantly within motor neurons. A second group of primitive-appearing ChAT-positive cells was detected adjacent to the ventricular zone on E14. These neurons seemed to disperse laterally into the intermediate zone by E15, and, on the basis of their location, were tentatively identified as partition cells. A third group of primitive ChAT-immunoreactive cells was detected on E16, both within and around the ventral half of the ventricular zone. By E17, some members of this "U"-shaped group appeared to have dispersed dorsally and laterally, probably giving rise to dorsal horn neurons as well as dorsal central canal cluster cells. Other members of this group remained near the ventral ventricular zone, most likely differentiating into ventral central canal cluster cells. Combined findings from the present study and a previous investigation of neurogenesis (Phelps et al.: J. Comp. Neurol. 273:459-472, '88), suggest that premitotic precursor cells have not yet acquired the cholinergic phenotype because ChAT is not detectable until after the onset of neuronal generation for each of the respective subsets of cholinergic neurons. However, ChAT is expressed in primitive bipolar neurons located within or adjacent to the germinal epithelium. Transitional stages of embryonic development suggest that these primitive ChAT-positive cells migrate to different locations within the intermediate zone to differentiate into the various subsets of mature cholinergic neurons. Therefore, it seems likely that spinal cholinergic neurons are committed to the cholinergic phenotype at pre- or early migratory stages of their development. Our results also hint that the subsets of cholinergic cells may follow different migration routes. For example, presumptive partition cells may use radial glial processes for guidance, whereas dorsal horn neurons may migrate along nerve fibers of the commissural pathway. Cell-cell interactions along such diverse migratory pathways could play a role in determining the different morphological, and presumably functional, phenotypes expressed by spinal cholinergic neurons.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Ultrastructural analysis of choline acetyltransferase-immunoreactive sympathetic preganglionic neurons and their dendritic bundles in rat thoracic spinal cord.

We have used a monoclonal antibody against choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) to aid in the identification of sympathetic preganglionic neurons (SPNs) and to examine their ultrastructure in rat thoracic spinal cord. The clusters of ChAT-immunoreactive (ChAT-IR) preganglionic cell bodies and their distinctive bundles of dendrites give rise to a ladder-like appearance in horizontal light microscopic sections. This organization also produced a characteristic appearance of preganglionic neuropil when viewed electron microscopically. The intermediolateral (IML) nucleus contained numerous rostrocaudally oriented ChAT-IR dendrites. In addition, mediolaterally oriented ChAT-IR dendrites extended between the IML and the central autonomic region. Both the ChAT-IR dendrites and somata of preganglionic neurons were intimately associated with astroglial processes. The cell bodies were typically covered over a large proportion of their surface by a thin astrocytic sheath, and this was associated with a paucity of axon terminals forming axosomatic synapses. Instead, the vast majority of synapses upon SPNs were of the axodendritic type. The most frequently observed type of axon terminal contained numerous round, clear vesicles along with several dense-core vesicles (DCVs). In addition, some boutons contained a predominance of DCVs. Serial section analysis revealed that these apparently diverse morphological classes of synaptic boutons may simply represent variability of structure throughout a single terminal, with a greater proportion of DCVs being located distal to the synaptic specialization and a greater number of round, clear vesicles being present adjacent to the synapse. Analysis of the dendritic bundles revealed that individual dendrites, like the cell bodies, were often isolated from each other and the surrounding neuropil by astrocytic processes. This arrangement usually was interrupted only at regions of synaptic contact where astrocytic processes surrounded the synaptic complex as a whole. Thus, astroglial ensheathment of SPNs seems designed to minimize cross-talk between the bundled dendrites, as well as to isolate or segregate the diverse afferent inputs known to impinge on these cells.

Adrenergic Fibers↗
PubMed1989

Localization of Drosophila neurons that contain choline acetyltransferase messenger RNA: an in situ hybridization study.

In situ hybridization with radiolabeled complementary RNA (cRNA) probes was used to determine the location of the messenger RNA (mRNA) encoding choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) in Drosophila nervous system. Areas in the cell-rich cortical regions of the cerebrum and optic lobes hybridized with substantial concentrations of the probe. This contrasted with the cell-sparse neuropil areas where no significant concentrations of probe were observed. Although most of the cortical regions were substantially labeled, there were regions within all of the areas where labeling was sparse or nonexistent. For example in the lamina, even though the monopolar cell layer appeared to be heavily labeled, there were some neuronal profiles that were not associated with the probe. Moreover, the epithelial glia that form an arch of cell profiles subjacent to the monopolar cells were not labeled, nor were amacrine neurons in the apex of the lamina near the external optic chiasma. The highest concentration of probe (approximately 140 grains/400 microns2) was observed in the laminar monopolar cell region and the cerebral cortical rind. The next most heavily labeled region (approximately 90 grains/400 microns2) occurred over cortical cells of the medulla-lobula. In the peripheral nervous system, label over the antennal sensory neurons amounted to about 75 grains/400 microns2, and the retinular cell layer of the compound eye exhibited about 60 grains/400 microns2. The control probe did not hybridize in significant quantities in either cellular or noncellular regions. This study presents evidence that large numbers of Drosophila cortical and primary sensory neurons contain the messenger RNA necessary for the production of ChAT, the acetylcholine-synthesizing enzyme. Further, our findings provide baseline information for use in ontogenetic studies of cholinergic neurons in Drosophila, and they also provide normative data for studying the effects of mutant alleles at the Cha or Ace loci upon the transcription of ChAT messenger RNA.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Fine structure of synaptogenesis in the vertebrate central nervous system.

This article reviews studies of the formation of synaptic junctions in the vertebrate central nervous system. It is focused on electron microscopic investigations of synaptogenesis, although insights from other disciplines are interwoven where appropriate, as are findings from developing peripheral and invertebrate nervous systems. The first part of the review is concerned with the morphological maturation of synapses as described from both qualitative and quantitative perspectives. Next, epigenetic influences on synaptogenesis are examined, and later in the article the concept of epigenesis is integrated with that of hierarchy. It is suggested that the formation of synaptic junctions may take place as an ordered progression of epigenetically modulated events wherein each level of cellular affinity becomes subordinate to the one that follows. The ultimate determination of whether a synapse is maintained, modified or dissolved would be made by the changing molecular fabric of its junctional membranes. In closing, a hypothetical model of synaptogenesis is proposed, and an hierarchial order of events is associated with a speculative synaptogenic sequence. Key elements of this hypothesis are 1) epigenetic factors that facilitate generally appropriate interactions between neurites; 2) independent expression of surface specializations that contain sufficient information for establishing threshold recognition between interacting neurites; 3) exchange of molecular information that biases the course of subsequent junctional differentiation and ultimately results in 4) the stabilization of synaptic junctions into functional connectivity patterns.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Dendritic development and preferential growth into synaptogenic fields: a quantitative study of Golgi-impregnated spinal motor neurons.

Branching patterns of dendrites may be modulated by the way in which dendritic growth cone filopodia come into initial synaptic relationships with afferent axons. This synaptotropic hypothesis of dendritic branching predicts that dendritic growth will be directed preferentially into regions containing numerous prospective presynaptic elements. The developing mouse spinal cord provides a natural experiment to test this prediction, because synapses are found exclusively within the marginal zones bordering the motor columns during the early (E11-14) period of synaptogenesis. During this time, therefore, most motor dendritic growth would be expected to be directed laterally or ventrally into the marginal zones, whereas internally directed growth should become more prevalent later, when synaptogenesis begins to take place within the intermediate zone, i.e., the motor columns proper. A computer-assisted three dimensional reconstruction system has been used to test these expectations in Golgi preparations of developing mouse (C57BL/6J) spinal cords ranging in age from E13 through P1. Mean dendritic lengths and branch densities are significantly greater for marginal zone dendrites than for intermediate zone dendrites at early ages (E13-14), but there are no significant differences in these measures at later stages of development (P0,1). These findings are interpreted as meaning that motor dendritic growth is initially biased into the marginal zone by synaptogenic afferents and that this preferential distribution is progressively lost as synapses develop within the intermediate zone to attract or to stabilize internally directed dendritic growth. Thus the findings of this study are consistent with predictions of the synaptotropic hypothesis of dendritic branching.

Animals↗
PubMed1979

The GABA neurons and their axon terminals in rat corpus striatum as demonstrated by GAD immunocytochemistry.

Glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD, EC 4.1.1.15), the enzyme which catalyzes the alpha-decarboxylation of L-glutamate to form the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), was localized immunocytochemically in rat neostriatum, pallidum and entopeduncular nucleus. A large amount of GAD-positive reaction product was observed in both the pallidum and entopeduncular nucleus in light microscopic preparations and was localized ultrastructurally to axon terminalis that surrounded dendrites and large somata. In the neostriatum the relative numbers of GAD-positive axons terminals per unit area were substantially less than in the pallidum. GAD-positive terminals predominantly formed symmetric synapses with somata, dendrites and spines, but a small number of them formed asymmetric synapses with either dendrites or spines. The presence of GAD within these terminals is consistent with results of other investigations which have indicated that the striatopallidal and striatoentopeduncular pathways as well as neostriatal local circuit neurons and/or collaterals from neostriatal projection neurons, use GABA as a neurotransmitter. GAD-positive reaction product was also localized within the somata and dendrites of neostriatal and pallidal neurons in colchicine-injected preparations. The GAD-positive somata in the pallidum were medium-sized neurons and since such cells project to the substantia nigra, our results are in agreement with those from other studies which demonstrate a GABAergic, pallidonigral pathway. In the neostriatum, GAD-positive somata were identified light microscopically as medium-sized neurons with either round or fusiform shapes. Electron microscopic examinations also showed GAD-positive reaction product within the perikaryal and dendritic cytoplasm of these neurons, as well as in dendritic spines. These findings are in accord with the results of studies which have indicated that medium-sized, spinous neurons of the neostriatum give rise to a GABAergic, striatonigral pathway. The significance of GAD localization within these neostriatal neurons is discussed in relation to recent findings which show that substance P is contained within this same class of striatonigral projection neuron.

Animals↗
PubMed1979

Inhibitory, GABAergic nerve terminals decrease at sites of focal epilepsy.

Using an immunocytochemical method for the localization of the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) synthesizing enzyme, glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD), we have observed GABAergic nerve terminals distributed throughout all layers of normal monkey sensorimotor cortex. These terminals displayed ultrastructural characteristics that suggested that they arose from aspinous and sparsely spinous stellate neurons. In monkeys (Macaca mulatta and M. fascicularis) made epileptic by cortical application of alumina gel, a highly significant numerical decrease of GAD-positive nerve terminals occurred at sites of seizure foci indicating a functional loss of GABAergic inhibitory synapses. A loss of such inhibition at seizure foci could lead to epileptic activity of cortical pyramidal neurons.

Animals↗
PubMed1979

Immunocytochemical localization of dopamine-beta-hydroxylase in rat locus coeruleus and hypothalamus.

Dopamine-beta-hydroxylase (DBH), the enzyme that converts dopamine to norepinephrine, has been localized in light and electron microscopic preparations of rat brain by an immunocytochemical method using a peroxidase--anti-peroxidase Fab complex. In light microscopic preparations, DBH-specific reaction product was observed in somata and proximal processes of neurons in the locus coeruleus and subcoeruleus as well as within distal axons of the principal adrenergic fiber system. DBH-specific reaction product was also observed within small (1--2 micrometer), punctate structures in the interstitial nucleus of the stria terminalis and the para- and periventricular nuclei of the hypothalamus. Electron microscopic results demonstrated on association of DBH-specific reaction product with the Golgi apparatus of neuronal somata in the locus coeruleus and subcoeruleus. DBH-positive reaction product was also seen in association with small (35-55 nm) agranular synaptic vesicles and large (80--100 nm), probable granular vesicles within axonal varicosities and terminals in the interstitial nucleus of the stria terminalis. Occasionally, DBH-containing axonal varicosities and terminals were observed to form synapse-like junctions with dendritic profiles, but most of the observed DBH-positive axonal structures did not establish identifiable synaptic relationships.

Adrenergic Fibers↗
PubMed1979

The generation of neurons involved in an early reflex pathway of embryonic mouse spinal cord.

The generation of lateral motor neurons (LMNs), interneurons and dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons of the cervical mouse spinal cord has been investigated by [3H]thymidine autoradiographic techniques. This investigation has two main objectives: (a) to determine on which embryonic days these three neuronal populations are born, and (b) to investigate the possibility that the neurons comprising early reflex circuits might be formed by a retrograde temporal sequencing of generation. LMNs are the first neurons generated in the cervical spinal cord. They arise between E8.8 and E11.5, and approximately 90% of these cells are born within a 36-hour period between E9 and E10.5. The earliest time of origin for interneurons is on E9.5, and those cells which are generated between E9.5 and E10.5 cluster in two distinct regions of the adult spinal cord. One of these regions is the lateral portions of laminae IV through VI; this appears to be the location of many ipsilateral association neurons. DRG neurons begin to arise on E9.5 and their generation is completed by E14. There is a trend within the DRG population for large neurons to be born before small neurons. Those cells with diameters of 40 micron or greater reach their generation peak on E10.5, while those smaller than 40 micron arise in the greatest numbers on E12. The findings of other investigations have provided evidence for a retrograde sequence of synaptic closure in the formation of the early disynaptic forelimb reflex pathway. The temporal difference in synapse formation in the terminal fields of DRG and association neurons is discussed in terms of our observation that both of these populations appear to have similar generation times. We suggest that factors responsible for the delayed synaptic closure of DRG afferents include the greater distances and the degree of collateralization which these afferents must undergo in order to establish their terminal fields. Finally, we discuss the possibility that the temporal sequence of neuronal generation and factors involved with the growth of neurites combine to produce a retrograde sequence of synaptic closure in the early disynaptic forelimb reflex pathway of mouse spinal cord.

Animals↗