Cytochemistry and Autoradiography in the Search for Transmitter-Specific Neuronal Pathways

  • J. G. Richards
Conference paper

Abstract

Current physiological and morphological data are consistent with the hypothesis that neurotransmitters are stored in presynaptic organelles, the synaptic vesicles, from which they are released in discrete ‘packets’ or ‘quanta’ upon arrival of a nerve impulse (Katz, 1971). Recent evidence suggests that neurotransmitters may be released not only from nerve terminals but also from dendrites (Geffen et al. , 1976). Biogenic amines, as neurotransmitters, have been implicated in a number of neuroregulatory functions in the brain and in the periphery (Axelrod, 1974; von Euler, 1971). The nature and distribution of storage sites for biogenic amines can be investigated by a variety of cytochemical, cytopharmacological and autoradiographical techniques. These morphological studies provide evidence that fulfills one of the criteria essential for the identification of a given substance as a neurotransmitter, viz its demonstration in well–defined neurons in intact nerve tissue.

Keywords

Nerve Terminal Biogenic Amine Dorsal Raphe Nucleus Superior Cervical Ganglion Tetanus Toxin 
These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in to check access.

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  1. Aghajanian, G.K., Gallager, D.W.: Raphe origin of serotonergic nerves terminating in the cerebral ventricles. Brain Res. 88, 221–231 (1975).PubMedCrossRefGoogle Scholar
  2. Axelrod, J.: Neurotransmitter. Sci. Am. 230, 59–71 (1974).PubMedCrossRefGoogle Scholar
  3. Baumgarten, H.G., Björklund, A.:Neurotoxic indoleamines and monoamine neurons. Ann. Rev. Pharmacol. Toxicol. 16, 101–113 (1976).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  4. Burnstock, G.: Purinergic Transmission: In: Handbook of Psychopharmacology, Vol. V. Iversen, L.L. Iversen, S.D. Snyder, S.H. (eds.), pp. 131–194. New York: Plenum Press 1975.Google Scholar
  5. von Euler, U.S.: Adrenergic neurotransmitter functions. Science 173, 202–206 (1971).Google Scholar
  6. Fillenz, M.: The factors which provide short–term and long–term control of transmitter release. Prog. Neurobiol. 8, 251–278 (1977).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  7. Geffen, L., Jessell, T., Cuello, A., Iversen, L.L.:Release of dopamine from dendrites in rat substantia nigra. Nature (London) 260, 258–261 (1976).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  8. Holtzmann, E.: The origin and fate of secretory packages, especially synaptic vesicles. Neurosci. Res. 2, 327–355 (1977).Google Scholar
  9. Iversen, L.L.: Uptake processes for biogenic amines. In: Handbook of Psychopharmacology, Vol. III. Iversen, L.L. Iversen, S.D. Snyder, S.H. (eds.), pp. 381–442. New York: Plenum Press 1975.Google Scholar
  10. Katz, B.: Quantal mechanism of neural transmitter release. Science 173, 123–126 (1971).PubMedCrossRefGoogle Scholar
  11. Livett, B.G.: Axonal transport and neuronal dynamics: Contributions to the study of neuronal connectivity. Int. Rev. Physiol. 10, 37–124 (1976).Google Scholar
  12. Lorez, H.P., Richards, J.G.: Effects of intracerebroventricular injection of 5,6–dihydroxytryptamine and 6–hydroxydopamine on supra–ependymal nerves. Brain Res. 116, 165–171 (1976).PubMedCrossRefGoogle Scholar
  13. Lorez, H.P., Pieri, L., Richards, J.G.: Disappearance of supra–ependymal 5–HT axons in the rat forebrain after electrolytic and 5,6–DHT–induced lesions of the medial forebrain bundle. Brain Res. 100, 1–12 (1975).PubMedCrossRefGoogle Scholar
  14. Malmfors, T., Thoenen, H.: 6–Hydroxydopamine and Catecholamine Neurons, p. 368. Amsterdam: North Holland 1971.Google Scholar
  15. Pletscher, A.: Platelets as models for monoaminergic neurons. Essays in Neurochemistry and Neuropharmacology 3, London: Wiley & Sons Ltd. (in press).Google Scholar
  16. Richards, J.G.: Autoradiographic evidence for the selective accumulation of 3H–5HT by supra–ependymal nerve terminals. Brain Res. 134, 151–157 (1977).PubMedCrossRefGoogle Scholar
  17. Richards, J.G., Da Prada, M.: Uranaffin reaction: A new cytochemical technique for the localization of adenine nucleotides in organelles storing biogenic amines. J. Histochem. Cytochem. 25, 1322–1336 (1977a).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  18. Richards, J.G., Da Prada, M.: Autoradiographic localization of 3H–reserpine in rat brain: Correlation with distribution of monoaminergic neurons. Neurosci. Letters 6, 287–291 (1977b).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  19. Richards, J.G., Tranzer, J.P.: The ultrastructural localization of amine storage sites in the central nervous system with the aid of a specific marker, 5–hydroxydopamine. Brain Res. 17, 463–469 (1970).PubMedCrossRefGoogle Scholar
  20. Richards, J.G., Tranzer, J.P.: Ultrastructural evidence for the localization of an indolealkylamine in supra–ependymal nerves from combined cytochemistry and pharmacology. Experientia 30, 287–289 (1974).PubMedCrossRefGoogle Scholar
  21. Richards, J.G., Tranzer, J.P.: The localization of amine storage sites in the adrenergic cell body. A study of the superior cervical ganglion by fine structural cytochemistry. J. Ultrastruct. Res. 53, 204–216 (1975).PubMedCrossRefGoogle Scholar
  22. Richards, J.G., Lorez, H.P., Tranzer, J.P.: Indolealkylamine nerve terminals in cerebral ventricles: identification by electron microscopy and fluorescence histochemistry. Brain Res. 57, 277–288 (1973).PubMedCrossRefGoogle Scholar
  23. Schwab, M., Agid, Y., Glowinski, J., Thoenen, H.: Retrograde axonal transport of 125j. tetanus toxin as a tool for tracing fibre connections in the central nervous system: connections of the rostral part of the neostriatum. Brain Res. 126, 211–224 (1977).PubMedCrossRefGoogle Scholar
  24. Stitzel, R.E.: The biological fate of reserpine. Pharmacol. Rev. 28, 179–205 (1977).Google Scholar
  25. Thoenen, H., Stoeckel, K.: Ortho–and retrograde transport: importance for the function of adrenergic neurons. Clin. Exp. Pharmacol. Physiol. Suppl. 2, 1–7 (1975).Google Scholar
  26. Thoenen, H., Tranzer, J.P.: Functional importance of subcellular distribution of false adrenergic transmitters. Prog. Brain Res. 34, 223–236 (1971).Google Scholar
  27. Tranzer, J.P., Richards, J.G.: Ultrastructural cytochemistry of biogenic amines in nervous tissue: Methodological improvements. J. Histochem. Cytochem. 24, 1178–1193 (1976).PubMedCrossRefGoogle Scholar
  28. Wood, J.G., Barrnett, R.J.: Histochemical demonstration of norepinephrine at a fine structural level. J. Histochem. Cytochem. 12, 197–209 (1964).Google Scholar

Copyright information

© Springer-Verlag Berlin · Heidelberg 1978

Authors and Affiliations

  • J. G. Richards

There are no affiliations available

Personalised recommendations