Summary
Fibrillar intracytoplasmic bodies, generally referred to as nematosomes or nucleolar like bodies (NLBs), are not only observed in various types of neurons in the hypothalamus and subfornical organ but also in the glandular cells of the pars tuberalis and the pars intermedia hypophyses. According to their cytochemical properties the NLBs are probably of ribonucleoprotein nature. Within the neurons NLBs occur within perikarya and processes. Their presence within the neurosecretory nerve fibers of the neural lobe proves their ability to migrate within the axon. Morphologic modifications of NLBs are observed in stimulated neurons and after colchicine treatment. Colchicine causes a characteristic dense texture of NLBs and a peripheral agglomeration of mitochondria very similar to the rosette arrangement observed in oocytes. Our findings suggest a structural and functional similarity of NLBs in neurons and oocytes, in which their nucleolar origin appears obvious and where they seem to represent preribosomal material. It is very likely that the axonal migration of the NLBs reflects transport of ribosomal RNA for delayed utilization (as in oocytes).
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This paper is dedicated to Prof. F. Stutinsky for his 65th birthday.
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Hindelang-Gertner, C., Stoeckel, ME., Porte, A. et al. Nematosomes or nucleolus-like bodies in hypothalamic neurons, the subfornical organ and adenohypophysial cells of the rat. Cell Tissue Res. 155, 211–219 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00221355
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00221355