Summary
Synapse-like structures occurring in regenerating crayfish peripheral nerves are characterized by aggregates of small (250 to 600 Å) electron lucent vesicles adjacent to a thickened “presynaptic” membrane. Such synaptoid profiles are seen opposite other axons, glial processes or extracellular fibrous material. Junctions with cellular elements do not show “postsynaptic” specializations. These complexes are compared to axo-glial synapses in the developing spinal cord and to synaptoid configurations observed by others in vertebrate and invertebrate neurosecretory systems.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Atwood, H.L., Govind, C.K., Bittner, G.D.: Ultrastructure of nerve terminals and muscle fibers in denervated crayfish muscle. Z. Zellforsch. 146, 155–165 (1973)
Baskin, D.G.: Further observations on the fine structure and development of the infracerebral complex (“infracerebral gland”) of Nereis limnicola (Annelida, Polychaeta). Cell Tiss. Res. 154, 519–531 (1974)
Bittner, G.D.: Degeneration and regeneration in crustacean neuromuscular systems. Amer. Zool. 13, 379–408 (1973)
Bittner, G.D., Nitzberg, M.: Degeneration of sensory and motor axons in transplanted segments of a crustacean peripheral nerve. J. Neurocytol. 4(1), 7–21 (1975)
Bunt, A.H., Ashby, E.A.: Ultrastructural changes in the crayfish sinus gland following electrical stimulation. Gen. comp. Endocr. 10, 376–382 (1968)
Cotman, C.W., Banker, G.A.: The making of a synapse, p. 1–62. In: Reviews of neuroscience, vol. I (ed. S. Ehrenpreis and I.J. Kopin). New York: Raven Press 1974
Douglas, W.W., Nagasawa, J., Schulz, R.: Electron microscopic studies on the mechanism of secretion of posterior pituitary hormones and significance of microvesicles (“ synaptic vesicles ”): evidence of secretion by exocytosis and formation of microvesicles as a byproduct of this process, p. 353–378. In: Subcellular organization and function of endocrine tissues IX (ed. H. Heller. K. Lederis, Mem. Soc. Endocrinol.) London: Cambridge University Press 1971
Fernández, J., Fernández, M.S.: Nervous system of the snail Helix aspersa: III Electron microscopic study of neurosecretory nerves and endings in the ganglionic sheath. Z. Zellforsch. 135, 473–482 (1972)
Fernández, J., Fernández, M.S.: Morphological evidence for an experimentally induced synaptic field. Nature (Lond.) 251, 428–430 (1974)
Foelix, R.F.: Occurrence of synapses in peripheral sensory nerves of arachnids. Nature (Lond.) 254, 146–148 (1975)
Govind, C.K., Atwood, H.L., Lang, F.: Synaptic differentiation in a regenerating crab-limb muscle. Proc. nat. Acad. Sci. (Wash.) 70, 822–826 (1973)
Grainger, F., James, D.W., Tresman, R.L.: An electron-microscopic study of the early outgrowth from chick spinal cord in vitro. Z. Zellforsch. 90, 53–67 (1968)
Güldner, F.H., Wolff, J.R.: Neurono-glial synaptoid contacts in the median eminence of the rat: ultrastructure, staining properties and distribution on tanycytes. Brain Res. 61, 217–235 (1973)
Guth, L.: “Trophic” influences of nerve on muscle. Physiol. Rev. 48, 645–687 (1968)
Henrikson, C.K., Vaughn, J.E.: Fine structural relationships between neurites and radial glial processes in developing mouse spinal cord. J. Neurocytol. 3, 659–675 (1974)
Hoy, R.R.: The curious nature of degeneration and regeneration in motor neurons and central connectives of the crayfish. In: Developmental neurobiology of arthropods (ed. D. Young). London: Cambridge University Press 1973
Hoy, R.R., Bittner, G.D., Kennedy, D.: Regeneration in crustacean motor neurons: evidence for axonal fusion. Science 156, 251–252 (1967)
James, D.W., Tresman, R.L.: Synaptic profiles in the outgrowth from chick spinal cord in vitro. Z. Zellforsch. 101, 598–606 (1969b)
Katz, B.: Nerve, muscle, synapse. New York: McGraw-Hill 1966
Nordlander, R.H., Masnyj, J.A., Singer, M.: Distribution of ultrastructural tracers in crustacean axons. J. comp. Neurol. 161, 499–514 (1970)
Nordlander, R.H., Singer, M.: Electron microscopy of severed motor fibers in the crayfish. Z. Zellforsch. 126, 157–181 (1972)
Nordlander, R.H., Singer, M.: Degeneration and regeneration of severed crayfish sensory fibers: an ultrastructural study. J. comp. Neurol. 152, 175–192 (1973a)
Nordlander, R.H., Singer, M.: Effects of temperature on the ultrastructures of severed crayfish motor axons. J. exp. Zool. 184, 289–301 (1973b)
Osborne, M.P., Finlayson, L.H., Rice, M.J.: Neurosecretory endings associated with striated muscle in 3 insects (Schistocerca, Carausius, and Phormia) and a frog (Rana). Z. Zellforsch. 116(3), 391–405 (1971)
Peters, A., Palay, S.L., Webster, J.H. deF.: The fine structure of the nervous system: the cells and their processes, (ed. Harper and Row). New York 1970
Robertson, J.D.: Ultrastructure of two invertebrate synapses. Proc. Soc. exp. Biol. (N.Y.) 82, 219–223 (1953)
Scharrer, B.: Neurosecretion. XIII. The ultrastructure of the corpus cardiacum of the insect, Leucophaea maderae. Z. Zellforsch. 60, 761–796 (1963)
Scharrer, B.: Ultrastructural study of sites of release of neurosecretory material in blattarian insects. Z. Zellforsch. 89, 1–16 (1968)
Scharrer, B.: General principles of neuroendocrine communication, p. 519–525. In: The neurosciences: second study program (ed. F.O. Schmitt). New York: Rockefeller University Press 1970
Scharrer, B., Kater, S.B.: Neurosecretion. XV. An electron microscopic study of the corpora cardiaca of Periplaneta americana after experimentally induced hormone release. Z. Zellforsch. 95, 177–186 (1969)
Schooneveld, H.: Ultrastructure of the neurosecretory system of the Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say). II Pathways of axonal secretion transport and innervation of neurosecretory cells. Cell Tiss. Res. 154, 289–301 (1974)
Seecof, R.L., Tepletz, R.L., Gerson, I., Ikeda, K., Donady, J.J.: Differentiation of neuromuscular junctions in cultures of embryonic Drosophila cells. Proc. nat. Acad. Sci. (Wash.) 69, 566–570 (1972)
Singer, M.: Neurotrophic control of limb regeneration in the newt. Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci. 228, 308–322 (1974)
Stirling, C.A.: The ultrastructure of giant fiber and serial synapses in crayfish. Z. Zellforsch. 131, 31–45 (1972)
Wittkoswki, W.: Zur Ultrastruktur der Gefässfortsätze von Ependymund Gliazellen im Infundibulum der Ratte. Z. Zellforsch. 130, 58–69 (1972)
Wittkowski, W., Brinkmann, W.: Changes of extent of neuro-vascular contacts and number of neuro-glial synaptoid contacts in the pituitary posterior lobe of dehydrated rats. Anat. Embryol. 146, 157–166 (1974)
Zachs, S.I., Saito, A.: Uptake of exogenous horseradish peroxidase by coated vesicles in mouse neuromuscular junctions. J. Histochem. Cytochem. 17, 161–170 (1969)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
This work was made possible by grants from The American Cancer Society, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, and the U.S. Public Health Service, National Institutes of Health grant NS-07403-14. We are grateful to Drs. Keith Alley, George Bittner and Juan Fernandez for helpful suggestions on the manuscript.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Nordlander, R.H., Singer, M. Synaptoid profiles in regenerating crustacean peripheral nerves. Cell Tissue Res. 166, 445–460 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00225910
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00225910