小菜蛾成虫喙管感器的超微结构及其神经元中枢投射

【目的】明确小菜蛾Plutella xylostella成虫喙管感器的形态结构及感器神经元的投射。【方法】利用扫描电子显微镜观察小菜蛾成虫喙管结构和感器,利用神经回填技术和激光共聚焦显微镜观察喙管感器神经元在脑部的投射。【结果】小菜蛾成虫喙管上存在毛形感器(两种亚型)、腔锥形感器、锥形感器、刺形感器和栓锥形感器5种不同类型的感器。毛形感器表面光滑,分布于外颚叶外侧,可分为毛形感器Ⅰ型和Ⅱ型两种亚型,其中Ⅰ型比Ⅱ型长;锥形感器分布于喙管外表面,由一个感觉锥和一个短的圆形基座组成;腔锥形感器仅分布于食管内侧,只有一个粗短感觉锥而无基座;刺形感器由一个细长的感觉毛和一个圆形基座组成,表面无孔,分布于喙管的外表面;栓锥形感器是昆虫喙管上最典型的感受器,集中分布于喙管顶端区域,感器顶部凹腔伸出一个单感觉锥。此外,喙管上的感觉和运动神经元投射到初级味觉中枢咽下神经节。【结论】本研究阐明了小菜蛾成虫喙管感器的类型、分布和形态特征及其感器神经元在脑部的投射形态,为深入了解小菜蛾喙管感器的生理和功能奠定了基础。     

昆虫单个感觉器记录技术研究进展

单感器记录技术是一种昆虫细胞外电生理技术,可以测量昆虫单个感受器对刺激物的电生理反应。该技术有助于探明昆虫嗅觉和味觉感受器对不同信息化合物的电生理响应机制,将单感器记录技术与其他技术相结合,不仅可以阐明昆虫嗅觉反应的分子机制,还可以研制昆虫行为调节剂、检测挥发性有机化合物的生物传感器。本文介绍了单感器记录仪的结构和昆虫单感器记录的原理,并对单感器记录技术在昆虫学研究方面的应用进行了综述,以期为探明昆虫感受化学信息物质的机理和应用提供依据。     

松褐天牛六种类型的触角感器的超微结构

利用扫描电镜和透射电镜对松褐天牛Monochamus alternatus Hope不同类型触角感器的超微结构进行了观察和研究。在松褐天牛触角上存在6种类型的感器:机械感器、锥形感器、毛型感器、耳形感器、刺形感器和栓锥形感器。机械感器壁厚无孔,淋巴腔中无树突。锥形感器壁薄多孔,有50多个树突分支,每个分支有1～10个微管。毛型感器单壁,壁上有小孔,孔数相对较少,感器内树突1～8个不等,树突内含不同数量的微管。耳形感器,壁薄多孔,内部有少于5个的树突分支,树突内含有数量不等的微管。刺形感器又分为2个亚型:Ⅰ型壁上具纵脊无孔,顶端有孔;Ⅱ型壁上无脊无孔,顶端具单孔。刺形感器Ⅰ型和Ⅱ型均壁厚无孔,树突鞘一直通到顶端小孔。栓锥形感器上半部具纵脊无孔,下端有少量孔,顶端具三瓣状开口的孔。对感受器功能的讨论认为:机械感器不是化学感器;锥形、毛型和耳形感器是嗅觉感器;刺形和栓锥形感器可能是接触化学(味觉)感器。     

蝇蛹俑小蜂、丽蝇蛹集金小蜂触角感器的扫描电镜观察

本文利用扫描电镜首次对蝇蛹俑小蜂(Spalangia endius)触角及其感器进行了研究.共观察到七类感器:触觉毛类感器、板状感器、薄壁化学感受器、锥形乳头状感器、鬃形感器、短刺形感器和棒状感器.同时在丽蝇蛹集金小蜂(Nasonia Vitripennis)触角上观察到七种感器.比较研究发现,在两种小蜂间.同种小蜂异性间.感器的种类、数量、排列及分布均有差异,并对此进行了讨论.     

扁角豆芫菁成虫雌雄异型触角感器精细结构观察(英文)

【目的】本研究旨在观察扁角豆芫菁Epicauta impressicornis主要触角感器的形态特征,为进一步开展扁角豆芫菁生物学和行为机制研究提供基础参考,也为今后的触角感受器电生理研究提供前提条件。【方法】对扁角豆芫菁E. impressicornis雌雄成虫触角感器进行了扫描电镜观察,并对雌雄成虫触角感器数量、分布及其差异进行了统计和比较分析。【结果】结果表明,其雌雄成虫触角感器存在性二型现象,二者的感器类型、数量及分布既有共性又存在明显差异。雌雄成虫触角共有的感器分为7种,即2种刺形感器(CH1和CH2),2种锥形感器(SB1和SB2),1种Böhm氏鬃毛(BB),1种耳形感器(SA)和1种钟形感器(CA);雄虫触角特有的感器类型包括1种刺形感器(CH3)和1种锥形感器(SB3),而雌性触角特有的感器类型包含2种锥形感器(SB4和SB5)和1种凹槽钉形感器(GP)。【结论】扁角豆芫菁成虫触角感受器类型丰富多样。根据触角感受器的形态、分布以及与之前报道结果的比较分析,推测其功能可能为信息素感器(CH1)、化学感器(CH2和GP)、嗅觉受体(CH3, SB1-SB5, SA和CA)、机械感器(BB)和温度感器(GP和CA)。     

小峰熊蜂工蜂触角感器的扫描电镜观察

利用扫描电镜对小峰熊蜂Bombus hypocrita的触角形态和感器进行了观察。结果表明:小峰熊蜂触角呈膝状,由柄节、梗节和鞭节组成。工蜂的柄节约为触角全长的三分之一,其长度约为(2099.40±112.26)μm,梗节呈方圆形,最短,长度为(212.86±12.51)μm。鞭节全长为(3861.43±137.86)μm,共由10节组成。触角上广布11种类型的感受器,即板形感器、坛形感器、钟形感器、锥形感器、腔锥形感器、毛形感器、刺形感器、芽形感器、端指形感器、缘感器和刚毛,不同感器在触角上的分布部位不同。其中,芽形感器和端指形感器在膜翅目昆虫中属首次发现。     

红环瓢虫触角感器的扫描电镜观察

利用扫描电镜对红环瓢虫Rodolia limbata Motschulsky成虫与幼虫的触角形态及化学感受器进行了观察,结果表明,红环瓢虫成虫的触角为棒状,由柄节、梗节和6个鞭节组成。其上发现有毛形、刺形和锥形3种感器,各种感器长短不一,分布不同,其中锥形感器集中分布于鞭节的4~6亚节,以末节端部最为密集;幼虫触角短,圆锥状,分为3节,感器只有毛形和锥形2种,且数量极少。雌雄成虫与幼虫个体间触角感器的类型、分布均无明显差异。     

各型桃蚜触角感器的比较研究

该文对桃蚜Myzus persicae(Sulzer)各型触角感器进行了比较研究。扫描电镜观察结果表明桃蚜具有钟形感器、毛形感器、原生感觉圈和次生感觉圈4种类型的触角感器。桃蚜各型触角感器的最大差异主要表现在次生感觉圈上,雄蚜、雌性母和有翅孤雌蚜具有次生感觉圈,雌性蚜、干母和无翅孤雌蚜无;但雄蚜具有的次生感觉圈数目多于雌性母和有翅孤雌蚜,且不仅仅分布在触角第3节,第4、5节也有分布。本文探讨了桃蚜触角感器在化学生态学上的功能作用,各型触角感器的差异与桃蚜寄主选择、迁移及交配行为的关系,并进一步分析了桃蚜触角感器的性二型现象。     

川楝素对粘虫幼虫拒食作用的电生理学研究

1×10^-4g/ml川楝素溶液能诱发记录到粘虫(Mythimna separata)幼虫下颚瘤状体栓锥感器的传入发放.其发放频率有一个逐步发展的过程,并可引起几个感受器细胞的爆发性发放.若用1×10^-4g/ml川楝素溶液处理栓锥感器,则经过一段时间后,能抑制粘虫幼虫侧栓锥感器对10mmol/L蔗糖和中栓锥感器对50mmol/L肌醇的诱发反应.用二硫苏糖醇及川楝素的混合液处理上述感器,则能解除川楝素的抑制效应.对川楝素作为拒食剂对昆虫化学感受器的可能作用方式作了初步探讨.对其拒食效应与活乐木醛作了比较.     

丝光绿蝇触角鞭节感受器官超显微形态研究

【目的】观察研究重要的医学昆虫丝光绿蝇Lucilia sericata触角感受器的形态,以明确不同类型感受器的结构及功能。【方法】采用透射电镜与激光共聚焦显微镜技术相结合的方法。【结果】明确并详细描述了毛型感受器、锥型感受器、腔锥型感受器及感觉囊的形态结构。【结论】毛型感受器和锥型感受器可能为化学感受器,腔锥型感受器可能为温湿度感受器;感觉囊中的无孔锥型感受器可能为温湿度感受器,类锥型感受器及类腔锥型感受器可能为化学感受器,各类型感受器同时行使功能,表明感觉囊为一个功能复合体。蝇类触角的感器类型多样、囊结构复杂,可作为研究昆虫触角感器形态、功能及演化的模式类群。     

Transfer of habituation in Aplysia: contribution of heterosynaptic pathways in habituation of the gill-withdrawal reflex

Habituation of the Aplysia gill-withdrawal reflex (and siphon-withdrawal reflex) has been attributed to low-frequency homosynaptic depression at central sensory-motor synapses. The recent demonstration that transfer of habituation between stimulation sites occurs in this model system has prompted the hypothesis that heterosynaptic inhibitory pathways also play a role in the mediation of habituation behavior. To test this hypothesis, the sites and mechanisms of neural plasticity which underlie transfer of habituation in Aplysia were examined. Transfer of habituation is a reduction in the reflex evoked at one stimulation site (siphon) due to repeated presentation of a stimulus to a second site (gill). Centrally mediated transfer of habituation, measured in a preparation lacking the siphon-gill peripheral nervous system (PNS), was associated with a reduced excitatory response in central motor neurons. Repeated tactile stimulation of the gill did not attenuate the gill response evoked by electrical stimulation of the branchial nerve nor the mechanoreceptor response recorded in LE sensory neurons. In contrast, repeated stimulation of siphon or gill at a site which was "off" the sensory field of a specific mechanoreceptor led to a diminution in synaptic transmission between that sensory neuron and its followers (motor neurons and inter-neurons). These data demonstrate that centrally mediated transfer of habituation results from heterosynaptic modulation of synaptic transmission at the sensory-motor (and sensory-interneuron) synapses. Therefore, habituation behavior in Aplysia is mediated through the conjoint action of homosynaptic and heterosynaptic inhibitory processes.     

Acetylcholine and histamine are transmitter candidates in identifiable mechanosensitive neurons of the spider Cupiennius salei: an immunocytochemical study

Histochemical and indirect immunocytochemical techniques were used to search for neuroactive substances and transmitter candidates in identified sensory neurons of two types of cuticular mechanoreceptors in the spider Cupiennius salei Keys.: (1) in lyriform slit-sense organ VS-3 (comprising 7-8 cuticular slits each innervated by 2 bipolar neurons), and (2) in tactile hairs (each supplied by 3 bipolar sensory cells). All neurons are mechanosensitive. A polyclonal antibody against choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) strongly labeled all cell bodies and afferent fibers of both mechanoreceptor types. Western blot analysis using the same antibody against samples of spider sensory hypodermis and against samples from the central nervous system demonstrated a clear band at 65 kDa, corresponding to the molecular mass of ChAT in insects. Moreover, staining for acetylcholine esterase (AChE) revealed AChE activity in one neuron of each mechanoreceptor type. Incubation with a polyclonal antibody against histamine clearly labeled one neuron in each set of sensilla, whereas activity in the remaining one or two cells was near background. All mechanoreceptor preparations treated with a polyclonal antiserum against serotonin tested negative, whereas sections through the central nervous system of the same spiders were clearly labeled for serotonin. The presence of ChAT-like immunoreactivity and AChE implicates acetylcholine as a transmitter candidate in the two mechanoreceptive organs. We assume that histamine serves as a mechanosensory co-transmitter in the central nervous system and may also act at peripheral synapses that exist in these sensilla. Received: 15 July 1996 / Accepted: 26 August 1996     

Cutaneous overexpression of NT-3 increases sensory and sympathetic neuron number and enhances touch dome and hair follicle innervation

Target-derived influences of nerve growth factor on neuronal survival and differentiation are well documented, though effects of other neurotrophins are less clear. To examine the influence of NT-3 neurotrophin overexpression in a target tissue of sensory and sympathetic neurons, transgenic mice were isolated that overexpress NT- 3 in the epidermis. Overexpression of NT-3 led to a 42% increase in the number of dorsal root ganglia sensory neurons, a 70% increase in the number of trigeminal sensory neurons, and a 32% increase in sympathetic neurons. Elevated NT-3 also caused enlargement of touch dome mechanoreceptor units, sensory end organs innervated by slowly adapting type 1 (SA1) neurons. The enlarged touch dome units of the transgenics had an increased number of associated Merkel cells, cells at which SA1s terminate. An additional alteration of skin innervation in NT-3 transgenics was an increased density of myelinated circular endings associated with the piloneural complex. The enhancement of innervation to the skin was accompanied by a doubling in the number of sensory neurons expressing trkC. In addition, measures of nerve fibers in cross- sectional profiles of cutaneous saphenous nerves of transgenics showed a 60% increase in myelinated fibers. These results indicate that in vivo overexpression of NT-3 by the epidermis enhances the number of sensory and sympathetic neurons and the development of selected sensory endings of the skin.     

Excitatory glutamate is essential for development and maintenance of the piloneural mechanoreceptor

The piloneural collar in mammalian hairy skin comprises an intricate pattern of circumferential and longitudinal sensory afferents that innervate primary and secondary pelage hairs. The longitudinal afferents tightly associate with terminal Schwann cell processes to form encapsulated lanceolate nerve endings of rapidly adapting mechanoreceptors. The molecular basis for piloneural development, maintenance and function is poorly understood. Here, we show that Nefh-expressing glutamatergic neurons represent a major population of longitudinal and circumferential sensory afferents innervating the piloneural collar. Our findings using a VGLUT2 conditional-null mouse model indicate that glutamate is essential for innervation, patterning and differentiation of NMDAR(+) terminal Schwann cells during piloneural collar development. Similarly, treatment of adult mice with a selective NMDAR antagonist severely perturbed piloneural collar structure and reduced excitability of these mechanosensory neurons. Collectively, these results show that DRG-derived glutamate is essential for the proper development, maintenance and sensory function of the piloneural mechanoreceptor.     

How we feel: ion channel partnerships that detect mechanical inputs and give rise to touch and pain perception

Every moment of every day, our skin and its embedded sensory neurons are bombarded with mechanical cues that we experience as pleasant or painful. Knowing the difference between innocuous and noxious mechanical stimuli is critical for survival and relies on the function of mechanoreceptor neurons that vary in their size, shape, and sensitivity. Their function is poorly understood at the molecular level. This review emphasizes the importance of integrating analysis at the molecular and cellular levels and focuses on the discovery of ion channel proteins coexpressed in the mechanoreceptors of worms, flies, and mice.     

The DRASIC cation channel contributes to the detection of cutaneous touch and acid stimuli in mice.

Cation channels in the DEG/ENaC family are proposed to detect cutaneous stimuli in mammals. We localized one such channel, DRASIC, in several different specialized sensory nerve endings of skin, suggesting it might participate in mechanosensation and/or acid-evoked nociception. Disrupting the mouse DRASIC gene altered sensory transduction in specific and distinct ways. Loss of DRASIC increased the sensitivity of mechanoreceptors detecting light touch, but it reduced the sensitivity of a mechanoreceptor responding to noxious pinch and decreased the response of acid- and noxious heat-sensitive nociceptors. The data suggest that DRASIC subunits participate in heteromultimeric channel complexes in sensory neurons. Moreover, in different cellular contexts, DRASIC may respond to mechanical stimuli or to low pH to mediate normal touch and pain sensation.     

Primary culture of antennal mechanoreceptor neurons of Manduca sexta

We have developed a primary cell culture system of antennal mechanoreceptor neurons from early-stage pupal sphinx moth Manduca sexta. Dissociated neurons from the moth antennae differentiated, grew and survived for several weeks in a conditioned culture medium. Bipolar neurons with soma diameters of 10-25 microns from the basal portion of the antennae could be positively identified as mechanoreceptor neurons, presumably derived from Johnston's organ, using a monoclonal antibody that recognizes neurofilaments in these neurons. The immunoreactivity was clear and specific from the first day after dissociation and became stronger during several days in culture. These neurons appeared healthy and showed normal whole-cell properties only a few days after plating. We found numerous mechanosensitive ion channels responding to both negative and positive pressures on the somata and neurites of differentiated neurons. This new culture system provides access to mechanoreceptor neurons that has never been possible before, allowing the use of both mechanical and electrical stimuli on neurons that are free from the accessory structures surrounding them in intact preparations.     

Epithelial Na+ channels and stomatin are expressed in rat trigeminal mechanosensory neurons

Caenorhabditis elegans MEC-4 and MEC-10 are subunits of the degenerin/epithelial Na+ channel (DEG/ENaC) ion channel superfamily thought to be associated with MEC-2 (a stomatin-like protein) in a mechanotransducing molecular complex in specialized touch sensory neurons. A key question is whether analogous molecular complexes in higher organisms transduce mechanical signals. To address this question, we selected mechanoreceptors of the rat vibrissal follicle-sinus complex in the mystacial pad and the trigeminal ganglia for an immunocytochemical and molecular biological study. RT-PCR of poly(A+) mRNA of rat trigeminal ganglia indicated that alpha-, beta-, and gamma-ENaC and stomatin mRNA are expressed in rat trigeminal ganglia. Using immunocytochemistry, we found that alpha-, beta-, and gamma-ENaC subunits and stomatin are localized in the perikarya of the trigeminal neurons and in a minor fraction of their termination site in the vibrissal follicle-sinus complex, where longitudinal lanceolate endings are immunopositive. We conclude that alpha-, beta-, and gamma-ENaC subunits as well as the candidate interacting protein stomatin are coexpressed in a mammalian mechanoreceptor, a location consistent with a possible role in mechanotransduction.     

Morphologic characteristics and responses of the neurons of the right parietal ganglion in Lymnaea stagnalis to stimulation of the sensory structures

Intracellular recordings have been made of the responses of 22 neurons of the central part of the dorsal surface of the right parietal ganglion of the snail Lymnaea stagnalis to adequate stimulation of chemo-, photo- and mechanoreceptor cells of the mantle and head skin including tentacles and lips. It was shown that the main bulk of the neurons investigated has broad receptive fields in the body wall and mantle, being able to respond to all types of the applied stimuli. Alongside, single neurons were revealed which receive single-mode input, either a mechanosensory or chemosensory one. Morphological studies indicate that the neurons are unipolar and have usually one, sometimes several projections. They differ in the pattern of branching as well as in the projections to peripheral nerves. However, almost all of them have vast dendritic regions in the central nervous system including central sensory nucleus of the right parietal ganglion.