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A comparison of the binding of Alcian Blue and inorganic cations to polyanions in peripheral nerve

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Polyanions at the nodes of Ranvier of peripheral nerve fibres have been studied with cationic ‘stais’ including colloidal iron, inorganic salts and Alcian Blue. The various cations were found to differ in their interactions with tissue macromolecules. Such differences have been examined critically in an attempt to understand the underlying physico-chemical principles involved in the histochemical demonstration of acidic macromolecules. In addition, certain phenomena associated with polyanions, such as ion-exchange, demonstrated in the present study, are discussed in relation to the possible physiological function of such macromolecules at nodes of Ranvier in the conduction of the nerve impulse.

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  1. Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, W.C.i, london

    O. K. Langley

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  1. O. K. Langley
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Langley, O.K. A comparison of the binding of Alcian Blue and inorganic cations to polyanions in peripheral nerve. Histochem J 3, 251–260 (1971). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01005224

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01005224

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