The ultrastructure of motoneurons and synapses in the somatic zone of the oculomotor nerve nuclei was studied in C57 Black/6 mice. Axodendritic and axosomatic synapses were characterized by round densities (round subjunctional densities) located in the postsynaptic part of the synapse some distance from the postsynaptic density. The synaptic cleft close to subjunctional densities was widened to up to 30 μm. Other parts of the cleft in the same synapse could be narrowed almost twofold. Axosomatic and axodendritic spiny synapses were found. Motoneuron bodies and dendrites bore synapses of the en passant type. Gap junctions were not seen.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
L. N. Kornilova, I. A. Naumov, K. A. Azarov, et al., “A computerized method for complex otoneurological investigations and nonpharmacological correction of vestibulosensory impairments,” Vestn. Otorinolar., No. 1, 28–33 (2009).
D. A. Moshkov, L. L. Pavlik, V. S. Shubina, et al., “Cytoskeletal regulation of cell functions by dopamine,” Biofi zika, 55, 850–856 (2010).
L. L. Pavlik, N. R. Tiras, N. F. Mukhtasimova, et al., “Involvement of actin in electrotonic conductivity of mixed synapses in goldfish Mauthner neurons,” Morfologiya, 123, No. 1, 41–47 (2003).
T. Basckai, G. Veress, G. Halasi, et al., “Dendrodendritic and dendrosomatic contacts between oculomotor and trochlear motoneurons of the frog, Rana esculenta,” Brain Res. Bull., 75, No. 2–4, 419–423 (2008).
J. A. Büttner-Ennever, “The extraocular motor nuclei: organization and functional neuroanatomy,” Prog. Brain Res., 151, 95–125 (2006).
G. Cheh, “Dendritic responses of frog motoneurons produced by antidromic activation,” Neuroscience, 1, 469–475 (1976).
A. C. Eberhorn, J. A. Büttner-Ennever, and A. K. Horn, “Identification of motoneurones supplying multiply- or singly-innervated extraocular muscle fibres in the rat,” Neuroscience, 137, No. 3, 891–903 (2006).
P. R. Hof, W. G. Young, F. T. Bloom, et al., Comparative Cytoar chitectonic Atlas of the C57BL/6 and 127/Sv Mouse Brains, Elsevier, Amsterdam (2000).
E. S. Lein, M. J. Hawrylycz, N. Ao, et al., “Genome-wide atlas of gene expression in the adult mouse brain,” Nature, 445, 168–176 (2007).
L. T. Nguyen, R. Baker, and R. F. Spencer, “Abducens internuclear and ascending tract of Deiters inputs to medial rectus motoneurons in the cat oculomotor nucleus: synaptic organization,” J. Comp. Neurol., 405, 141–159 (1999).
G. Paxinos and K. Franklin, The Mouse Brain in Stereotaxic Coordinates, Academic Press, San Diego (2012).
T. J. Schuster, “Experimental alterations in number and length of different membrane complexes on axosomatic contacts in the trout (Salmo iridens),” J. Hirnforsch., 19, No. 1, 45–73 (1978).
K. Shiraki, S. Myazaki, and M. Shimo-Oku, “Influence of visual deprivation on the visual and oculomotor system: acetylcholinesterase activity in oculomotor neurons,” Exp. Neurol., 99, 342–352 (1988).
M. Shin, S. H. Moghadam, C. Sekirnjak, et al., “Multiple types of cerebellar target neurons and their circuitry in the vestibulo-ocular reflex,” J. Neurosci., 31, No. 30, 10,776–10,786 (2011).
L. J. Stensaas and S. S. Stensaas, “Light and electron microscopy of motoneurons and neuropil in the amphibian spinal cord,” Brain Res., 31, 67–84 (1971).
M. Suzuki, A. Izawa, K. Takahashi, and Y. Yamazaki, “The coordination of eye, head and arm movements during rapid gaze orienting and arm pointing,” Exp. Brain Res., 184, No. 4, 579–585 (2008).
S. G. Waxman and G. D. Pappas, “Ultrastructure of synapses and cellular relationships in the oculomotor nucleus of the rhesus monkey,” Cell Tiss. Res., 204, 161–169 (1979).
B. K. Vanselow and B. U. Keller, “Calcium dynamics and buffering in oculomotor neurons from mouse that are particularly resistant during amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)-related motoneurone disease,” J. Physiol., 525, No. 2, 433–445 (2000).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
Translated from Morfologiya, Vol. 147, No. 2, pp. 21–25, March–April, 2015.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Shtanchaev, R.S., Mikheeva, I.B., Pen’kova, N.A. et al. Ultrastructure of Motoneurons and Synapses in the Nuclei of the Oculomotor Nerves in Mice. Neurosci Behav Physi 46, 224–228 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11055-015-0222-5
Received:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11055-015-0222-5