ISSN:
1432-0878
Keywords:
Neuromuscular junction
;
Development
;
Cholinesterases
;
Axonal transport, Neurotubules, Colchicine, Vinblastine
;
Electron microscopy
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Medicine
Notes:
Summary Colchicine (0.1 M) or vinblastine (0.01 M) was locally applied on the sciatic nerves of newborn rats. Both colchicine and vinblastine caused reversible disappearance of axonal neurotubules and appearance of increased amounts of neurofilaments at the site of application. Subsequent morphogenesis of myoneural junctions in the tibialis anterior muscle was studied after histochemical demonstration of acetylcholinesterase (AChE; E.C. 3.1.1.7) and non-specific cholinesterase (Ns. ChE; E.C. 3.1.1.8) activity in the myoneural area. Development of the postsynaptic muscle plasma membrane of the myoneural junction was arrested in the ipsilateral, but not in the contralateral control side, for a period of about three weeks following treatment with the test substances. After this delay the myoneural morphogenesis continued normally and neurotubules were seen in the axoplasm. Since disruption of neurotubules is likely to cause blockage of the intratubular axoplasmic transport system, it seems possible that the neurotrophic influence responsible for the development of the postsynaptic muscle membrane is mediated through a secretory product transported along axons intratubularly to the nerve endings.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00307032
