Summary
Synaptic junctions in intact rat cerebral cortex have been examined following glutaraldehyde fixation and phosphotungstic acid (PTA) staining. In the presynaptic ending the network has a hexagonal arrangement, while the dense projections are regularly placed along the presynaptic membrane. Cleft densities occupy the intracleft region. The postsynaptic thickening extends uninterrupted along the length of the junction. Qualitatively, the majority of junctions fall into the ‘discontinuous-continuous’ category, in which the internal coat of the presynaptic membrane together with its associated dense projections is discontinuous along the length of the junction, whereas the postsynaptic thickening is continuous. By contrast, a small number of junctions are ‘continuous-continuous’.
In an attempt to analyze the junctions quantitatively, nine indices were measured. Histograms of the size distributions of seven of these appear to be bimodal, and from this it is concluded that two junction populations may be distinguishable on quantitative grounds. It is also shown that the distance separating dense projections at the presynaptic membrane is of the order of 10–15 nm. This surprisingly low value has consequences for current ideas on the relationship between synaptic vesicles and dense projections, and these are discussed at length.
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We would like to acknowledge the technical assistance of Mrs. C. Blackshaw, Mrs. G. Kay and Mr. D. Stuart.
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Jones, D.G., Brearley, R.F. Further studies on synaptic junctions. Z.Zellforsch 125, 415–431 (1972). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00306651
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00306651