Neuronal Na+, K+-ATPase in the peripheral nerve fibers

ATPase activity was localized by means of Wachstein-Meisel's method in rat sciatic nerve fibers. Using controls with ouabain, the presence of alpha + (neuronal) Na+, K+-ATPase was examined. The enzyme occurs in the ATPase reaction of the myelin-forming membranes, axoplasm and Schwann cell cytoplasm. Its presence in the Schwann cell plasma membrane is only admittable. The ATPase activity of the compact myelin and axolemma was exclusively of alpha + type of Na+, K+-ATPase.     

甘蔗叶不同部位ATP酶活性细胞化学定位

甘蔗叶片,叶鞘和肥厚带韧皮部 ATP 酶活性定位于筛管、伴胞的质膜、内质网和某些伴胞细胞基质、小囊泡和发育成熟的液泡上;叶片韧皮部薄壁细胞、厚壁细胞和厚壁通道细胞质膜及小囊泡中亦显示有 ATP 水解产物;维管束鞘细咆与厚壁细胞或厚壁通道细胞所构成的细胞间隙上也存在有 ATP 酶活性反应产物沉淀。甘蔗叶片大、中、小三种维管束,从小维管束到大维管束,面向细胞间隙的细胞表面上的 ATP 酶活性逐渐增强,而维管束鞘细胞质膜上的 ATP 酶活性则趋于减弱;同一维管束内则以韧皮部细胞的 ATP 酶活性最强。维管束鞘细胞与叶肉细胞之间存在很多的胞间连丝,并表现出高的 ATP 酶活性。讨论了 ATP 酶活性的分布状态与叶肉细胞的光合产物向韧皮部运输的关系。     

Developmental changes at the node and paranode in human sural nerves: morphometric and fine-structural evaluation

Developmental alterations of paranodal fiber segments have not been investigated systematically in human nerve fibers at the light- and electron-microscopic level. We have therefore analyzed developmental changes in the fine structure of the paranode in 43 human sural nerves during the axonal growth period up to 5 years of age, and during the subsequent myelin development up to 20 years and thereafter. The nodal, internodal, and paranodal axon diameters reach their adult values at 4–5 years of age. The ratio between internodal and paranodal axon diameters remains constant at 1.8–2.0. Despite a considerable increase in myelin sheath thickness, the length of the paranodal myelin sheath attachment zone at the axon does not increase correspondingly, because of attenuation, separation from the axolemma, and piling up of myelin loops in the paranode. Separation of variable numbers of terminal myelin loops from the underlying axolemma results in the formation of bracelets of Nageotte, whereas the transverse bands of these loops disappear. The adaptation of the paranodal myelin sheath to axonal expansion during development probably occurs by uneven gliding of the paranodal myelin loops simultaneously with internodal slippage of myelin lamellae. Since mechanically stabilizing structures (tight junctions and desmosomes between adjacent paranodal myelin processes; transverse bands between myelin loops and paranodal axolemma) are unevenly arranged, especially during rapid axonal growth, paranodal axonal growth with simultaneous adaptation of the myelin sheath is probably discontinuous with time.Presented in part at the 10th Biennial Meeting of the Peripheral Nerve Study Group at Arden House, Harriman, New York, USA, June 30th–July 3rd, 1991, and as a doctoral thesis (M. Bertram) at the RWTH Aachen in 1991     

The need for speed. II. Myelin in calanoid copepods

Speed of nerve impulse conduction is greatly increased by myelin, a multi-layered membranous sheath surrounding axons. Myelinated axons are ubiquitous among the vertebrates, but relatively rare among invertebrates. Electron microscopy of calanoid copepods using rapid cryofixation techniques revealed the widespread presence of myelinated axons. Myelin sheaths of up to 60 layers were found around both sensory and motor axons of the first antenna and interneurons of the ventral nerve cord. Except at nodes, individual lamellae appeared to be continuous and circular, without seams, as opposed to the spiral structure of vertebrate and annelid myelin. The highly organized myelin was characterized by the complete exclusion of cytoplasm from the intracellular spaces of the cell generating it. In regions of compaction, extracytoplasmic space was also eliminated. Focal or fenestration nodes, rather than circumferential ones, were locally common. Myelin lamellae terminated in stepwise fashion at these nodes, appearing to fuse with the axolemma or adjacent myelin lamellae. As with vertebrate myelin, copepod sheaths are designed to minimize both resistive and capacitive current flow through the internodal membrane, greatly speeding nerve impulse conduction. Copepod myelin differs from that of any other group described, while sharing features of every group. Accepted: 8 January 2000     

Adenosine triphosphatase activity of cutaneous nerve fibers

Summary The histochemical study of Mg⁺⁺-activated adenosine triphosphatase (Mg⁺⁺-ATPase) activity was carried out on the peripheral nerves of mouse digital skin by light and electron microscopy. Under the light microscope, the ATPase activity was clearly demonstrated on the nerve fibers as a fine network in the subepidermal regions. Under the electron microscope, the reaction product of enzyme activity was located in the interspace between axolemma and the surrounding Schwann cells of the unmyelinated nerve fibers. No reaction product was observed in the space between the axolemma and the Schwann cells associated with myelinated nerve fibers. Demonstrable activity was absent at the nodes of Ranvier as well as on the para- and internodal regions of these myelinated axons. The part of the axolemma lacking a Schwann cell sheath failed to show a reaction product. The perineural epithelial cells surrounding the nerve fibers displayed reaction product in the caveolae. These results suggest a functional difference in the axon-Schwann interface of myelinated as compared to unmyelinated nerve fibers. The function of the perineural epithelial cell would be expected to be a regulatory one in transferring materials across the epithelium to keep the proper humoral environment around nerve fibers.     

ADENOSINE TRIPHOSPHATASE ACTIVITY IN THE MEMBRANES OF THE SQUID NERVE FIBER

This investigation deals with the localization of sites of ATPase activity, especially of transport ATPase, in nerve fibers of the squid Doryteuthis plei, at the subcellular level. Splitting of ATP liberates inorganic phosphate which reacts with lead to form a precipitate in the tissue. The reaction was made on nerve fibers fixed with glutaraldehyde. Frozen slices were incubated in Wachstein-Meisel medium containing ATP and Pb(NO₃)₂. Deposits of reaction product were found in the axolemma (towards its axoplasmic side), Schwann cell membranes (mainly at the channels crossing the layer), and mitochondria. Control experiments revealed that no deposits were observed in nerve fibers fixed in osmium tetroxide prior to incubation in the medium containing ATP, or in nerve fibers incubated without substrate or with adenosine monophosphate, adenosine diphosphate, glycerophosphate, or guanosine triphosphate as substrate. For evaluation of transport ATPase activity, these findings were compared with results obtained with nerve fibers treated with G-strophanthin or K-strophanthoside before or after glutaraldehyde fixation. The cardiac glycosides produced a disappearance or diminution of the deposits. The largest inhibitory effect was observed in the axolemma. The findings indicate that the highest ATPase activity is localized in the axolemma and may be due primarily to transport ATPase.     

ULTRASTRUCTURAL LOCALIZATION OF PHOSPHOLIPID SYNTHESIS IN THE RAT TRIGEMINAL NERVE DURING MYELINATION

A method for the ultrastructural localization of acyltransferase enzymes involved in phospholipid metabolism has been applied to the developing rat trigeminal nerve. Determination of acyltransferase levels in the nerve indicated that a peak of activity occurs at the 8th day after birth with gradual declines of activity up to 15 days. Morphological surveys and determinations of cholesterol levels suggested that heavy myelin formation occurs in the nerve during this latter period. Fixed nerves incubated in a medium for localization of acyltransferases indicated deposition of reaction product associated with Golgi cisternae, intracellular smooth vesicles, and the plasma membrane of the Schwann cell in the incipient stages of myelin formation. Golgi-derived vesicles appeared to move toward the Schwann cell surface and fuse with the plasma membrane. Activity continued to be detectable in the plasma membrane of the internal mesaxon as long as cytoplasm was evident and mature myelin membrane was not yet formed. Cells in which myelin formation appeared advanced showed little or no enzyme marker. Consistent with cytochemical observations were biochemical determinations of acyltransferases which showed high levels of the enzymes in microsomes, while no activity could be detected in the myelin fraction. Acyltransferase reaction product was also observed in the Golgi apparatus of ganglion cell bodies, axoplasmic smooth vesicles, and the axolemma. Localization of acyltransferase enzymes in Schwann cells, ganglion cell bodies, and axons during development of the nerve is discussed in relation to membrane biogenesis in the nervous system.     

Differential Ultrastructural Localization of Myelin Basic Protein, Myelin/Oligodendroglial Glycoprotein, and 2'',3''-Cyclic Nucleotide 3''-Phosphodiesterase in the CNS of Adult Rats

In a light and electron microscopic immunocytochemical study we have examined the distribution of myelin basic protein (MBP), 2',3'-cyclic nucleotide 3'-phosphodiesterase (CNP), and myelin/oligodendroglial glycoprotein (MOG) within CNS myelin sheaths and oligodendrocytes of adult Sprague-Dawley rats. Ultrastructural immunocytochemistry allowed quantitative analysis of antigen density in different myelin and oligodendrocyte zones: MBP was detectable in high density over the whole myelin sheath, but not in regions of loops, somata, or the oligodendrocyte plasma membrane. CNP reactivity was highest at the myelin/axon interface, and found in lower concentration over the outer lamellae of myelin sheaths, at the cytoplasmic face of oligodendrocyte membranes, and throughout the compact myelin. MOG was preferentially detected at the extracellular surface of myelin sheaths and oligodendrocytes and in only low amounts in the lamellae of compacted myelin and the myelin/axon border zone. Our studies, thus, indicate further the presence of different molecular domains in compact myelin, which may be functionally relevant for the integrity and maintenance of the myelin sheath.     

Electron Microscopic Localization of ATPase Activity in the Cytopharyngeal Basket of the Ciliate Pseudomicrothorax dubius

The cytopharyngeal basket of Pseudomicrothorax dubius is used to ingest filamentous blue-green algae. The basket has three main components: a sheath of microfilaments, bundles of microtubules (the nemadesmata), and ribbons of microtubules. The ribbons of microtubules (nemadesmal lamellae) are adpressed to the food vacuole during ingestion. Cytochemical techniques show that both the lamellae and the microfilamentous sheath possess ATPase activity, but the reaction product appears under different conditions in the two cases. The presence of ATPase activity within the microtubular lattices of the feeding organelle suggests the capacity for active motility. Consequently the basket seems to have two motile systems, one may be used to constrict and dilate the cytopharynx while the other is used in the inward propulsion of the forming food vacuole.     

The fine structure of myelinated nerve cell bodies in the bulbus olfactorius of man

Summary In the bulbus olfactorius of man numerous myelinated nerve cell bodies occur in the stratum plexiforme internum and stratum granulosum internum. In many respects they resemble the neighbouring granule cells: small chromatin clumps border on more than half of the circumference of the nucleus, the thin cytoplasmic rim contains abundant polysomes and sometimes pigment complexes with numerous light vacuoles, the cells often show a process which extends up to the stratum glomerulosum, the perikarya are devoid of synaptic contacts whereas the proximal segment of the peripheral processes display rare contacts. The myelin sheath varies in thickness, consisting of 2 to 24 lamellae with distances between the major dense lines ranging from 9.3 to 11.3 nm. The myelin sheath may enclose the cell body completely or partially and accompany the proximal segment of the process arising from the perikaryon. On partially enveloped perikarya, the myelin lamellae end in formations like those of the node of Ranvier, though often less regularly. Within the compact myelin sheath all of its lamellae may be distended for a short distance by glial cytoplasm as in the Schmidt-Lanterman incisures of peripheral nerve fibres. Adjacent to the outermost myelin lamella myelinated axons and cell bodies, tentatively identified as oligodendrocytes, as well as granule cells may be closely joined.Supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (Br. 634/1)     

Ultrastructural Localization of Adenosine Triphosphatase Activity in Cotyledon Cells of Tomato and Its Changes during Chilling Stress

The ultrastructural localization of adenosine tripkosphatase (ATPase) activity in cotyledon cells of tomato was carried out by use of the cytochemical method of lead phosphate precipitation, and the changes in ATPase activity during chilling stress of the tomato seedlings were studied. The following experimental results have been obtained: 1. The ATPase activity in the cotyledon cells of tomato seedlings germinated and grown at 28 ℃. was located at plasmolemma, plasmodesmata, nucleoli and nuclear chromatin chloroplast lamellae, many sites of cell wall, and the surface of cell wall bordering the intercellular spaces and their inclusions. 2. When the tomato seedlings were subjected to chilling treatment for 4 h. at 5 ℃., the ATPase activity in cotyledon cells was indifferent from that of non-chilling treated seedlings. After chilling treatment for 12 h. at 5 ℃., the reaction of ATPase activity at plasmolemma, and in cell wall and intercellular spaces was markedly reduced. though the high activity reaction of ATPase in nuclei and at chloroplast lamellae was still maintained. When the tomato seedlings were subjected to chilling stress for 24 h. at 5℃., the ATPase activity at plasmolemma and in cell wall was almost inactivated, while the ATPase activity in nuclei and at chloroplast lamellae was only slightly lowered. These results indicated that the chilling injury may influence firstly on the ATPase activity of cell surface (plasmolemma and cell wall). 3. The role of intercellular spaces used as the passage of materials and the process and mechanism of chilling injury are discussed.     

Cellular contacts in myelinated fibers of the peripheral nervous system

Myelination allows the fast propagation of action potentials at a low energetic cost. It provides an insulating myelin sheath regularly interrupted at nodes of Ranvier where voltage-gated Na+ channels are concentrated. In the peripheral nervous system, the normal function of myelinated fibers requires the formation of highly differentiated and organized contacts between the myelinating Schwann cells, the axons and the extracellular matrix. Some of the major molecular complexes that underlie these contacts have been identified. Compact myelin which forms the bulk of the myelin sheath results from the fusion of the Schwann cell membranes through the proteins P0, PMP22 and MBP. The basal lamina of myelinating Schwann cells contains laminin-2 which associates with the glial complex dystroglycan/DPR2/L-periaxin. Non compact myelin, found in paranodal loops, periaxonal and abaxonal regions, and Schmidt-Lanterman incisures, presents reflexive adherens junctions, tight junctions and gap junctions, which contain cadherins, claudins and connexins, respectively. Axo-glial contacts determine the formation of distinct domains on the axon, the node, the paranode, and the juxtaparanode. At the paranodes, the glial membrane is tightly attached to the axolemma by septate-like junctions. Paranodal and juxtaparanodal axoglial complexes comprise an axonal transmembrane protein of the NCP family associated in cis and in trans with cell adhesion molecules of the immunoglobulin superfamily (IgSF-CAM). At nodes, axonal complexes are composed of Na+ channels and IgSF-CAMs. Schwann cell microvilli, which loosely cover the node, contain ERM proteins and the proteoglycans syndecan-3 and -4. The fundamental role of the cellular contacts in the normal function of myelinated fibers has been supported by rodent models and the detection of genetic alterations in patients with peripheral demyelinating neuropathies such as Charcot-Marie-Tooth diseases. Understanding more precisely their molecular basis now appears essential as a requisite step to further examine their involvement in the pathogenesis of peripheral neuropathies in general.     

枸杞体细胞胚发生中Ca^2＋和ATPase的超微结构定位研究

研究2,4-D诱导枸杞体细胞胚发生中的作用及其与Ca^2 含量和ATPase活性时空分布动态之间的关系,以探讨2,4-D诱导植物体细胞胚发生的作用机理。采用超微细胞化学定位的方法,跟踪分析了体细胞胚发生与发育的不同时期,Ca^2 和ATPase活性的时空分布动态。结果表明：2,4-D是诱导离体培养的枸杞体细胞进入胚胎状态的关键激素。在含有2,4-D和不含2,4-D的培养条件下,分别诱导枸杞体细胞脱分化后,再转入除去2,4-D的MS培养基上,进行分化培养,结果前者可分化形成体细胞胚,因而称为胚性愈伤组织。后者在相同条件却不能分化形成胚,故称为非胚性愈伤组织。在2,4-D诱导枸杞的胚性愈伤组织中,胚性细胞分化早期的细胞间隙和细胞壁上均有Ca^2 沉淀。随着胚性细胞的分化、分裂和多细胞原胚形成,这时Ca^2 在细胞内的分布主要集中在细胞膜和液泡膜上;球形胚期在细胞核中Ca^2 呈弥散性分布。在此过程中,ATPase活性时空分布与Ca^2 的定位变化具有高度一致性,仅仅稍滞后于Ca^2 出现的时间。而在胚性细胞分化早期,ATPase活性同样位于质膜上,随后在液泡和细胞核都可见ATPase活性分布。而在非胚性愈伤组织中,则未见Ca^2 和ATPase活性呈时空动态分布,而且随着非胚性细胞的液泡化,无论是Ca^2 含量,还是ATPase活性都呈逐渐降低的趋势。表明Ca^2 和ATPase活性变化与2,4-D诱导的胚性细胞分化和发育密切相关。并由此推测,Ca^2 和ATPase的时空分布对胚性细胞分化中的信息传递和调控相关基因表达起着关键性作用。     

枸杞体细胞胚发生中Ca2+和ATPase的超微结构定位研究

研究2,4-D诱导枸杞体细胞胚发生中的作用及其与Ca~(2+)含量和ATPase活性时空分布动态之间的关系,以探讨2,4-D诱导植物体细胞胚发生的作用机理。采用超微细胞化学定位的方法,跟踪分析了体细胞胚发生与发育的不同时期,Ca~(2+)和ATPase活性的时空分布动态。结果表明:2,4-D是诱导离体培养的枸杞体细胞进入胚胎状态的关键激素。在含有2,4-D和不含2,4-D的培养条件下,分别诱导枸杞体细胞脱分化后,再转入除去2,4-D的MS培养基上,进行分化培养,结果前者可分化形成体细胞胚,因而称为胚性愈伤组织。后者在相同条件却不能分化形成胚,故称为非胚性愈伤组织。在2,4-D诱导枸杞的胚性愈伤组织中,胚性细胞分化早期的细胞间隙和细胞壁上均有Ca~(2+)沉淀。随着胚性细胞的分化、分裂和多细胞原胚形成,这时Ca~(2+)在细胞内的分布主要集中在细胞膜和液泡膜上;球形胚期在细胞核中Ca~(2+)呈弥散性分布。在此过程中,ATPase活性时空分布与Ca~(2+)的定位变化具有高度一致性,仅仅稍滞后于Ca~(2+)出现的时间。而在胚性细胞分化早期,ATPase活性同样位于质膜上,随后在液泡和细胞核都可见ATPase活性分布。而在非胚性愈伤组织中,则未见Ca~(2+)和ATPase活性呈时空动态分布,而且随着非胚性细胞的液泡化,无论是Ca~(2+)含量,还是ATPase活性都呈逐渐降低的趋势。表明Ca~(2+)和ATPase活性变化与2,4-D诱导的胚性细胞分化和发育密切相关。并由此推测,Ca~(2+)和ATPase的时空分布对胚性细胞分化中的信息传递和调控相关基因表达起着关键性作用。     

Filipin-sterol complexes in disrupted myelin in the rat

Using filipin as a cytochemical probe for cholesterol we have compared the distribution of filipin labelling in mildly disrupted myelin and normal myelin. The myelin lamellae in rat sciatic nerve were separated either by hypotonic saline (0.035-0.07 M) or nerve section (24-32 h) before aldehyde fixation and filipin treatment. Myelin separation was assessed in ultrathin sections and filipin distribution in freeze-fracture replicas. In separated myelin lamellae filipin labelling was similar throughout the myelin sheath while in normal control myelin filipin occurred most in the outer (abaxonal), least in the inner (adaxonal) and intermediate in the middle lamellae. It is concluded that this heterogeneous filipin labelling in normal myelin is a result of diffusion gradients to filipin within the myelin sheath and that in vivo cholesterol is uniformly distributed throughout all the lamellae of the myelin sheath. The site of the diffusion barrier to filipin within normal myelin is considered.     

EFFECT OF PROTEOLYTIC ATTACK ON THE STRUCTURE OF CNS MYELIN MEMBRANE

Rat CNS myelin particles have been incubated with trypin and acetyltrypsin under conditions which ensured a selective and substantial removal of the basic proteins leaving acidic Wolfgram and proteolipid proteins. Some trypsin became associated with the basic protein denuded pellet while no attachment of acetyltrypsin was observed. The removal of basic proteins ‘solubilized’ some myelin and produced a lighter ‘fluff’ layer on top of the myelin pellet, but this amounted to no more than 10 per cent of the total myelin lamellae. Electron microscopy indicated a more dense-straining interperiod line in a small percentage of lamellae which otherwise remained normal. Selective extraction of complex lipids with solvents of increasing polarity, nuclear magnetic resonance spectra and X-ray diffraction patterns showed no significant changes on removing basic proteins from myelin. The results are interpreted as suggesting that the basic proteins are not uniformly distributed in myelin but preferentially located in the outside layers of the myelin sheath and that they play little part in stabilizing the bulk of the myelin membrane structure.     

Is Na + K ATPase a Myelin-Associated Enzyme?

The Na + K ATPase activity associated with purified myelin has been investigated. On the basis of marker enzyme studies, the Na + K ATPase activity of myelin was higher than could be accounted for by microsomal contamination. Fractions prepared from white matter-enriched areas of rat brain showed a threefold enrichment in Na + K ATPase activity in myelin as compared with the white matter homogenate. The ATPase activity in myelin was stimulated fourfold by treatment with sodium deoxycholate, but the activity in the whole brain homogenate and the microsomal fraction was only doubled. This discontinuity temperature for Na + K ATPase activity was significantly higher for the myelin fraction (29 degrees C) than for the microsomal fraction (21 degrees C), but the energies of activation, both above and below the discontinuity temperature, were the same for both fractions, Myelin Na + K ATPase had a lower affinity for strophanthidin than the microsomal enzyme, but both fractions were inhibited to the same extent by 10-3 M-strophanthidin. The evidence thus indicated that much of the ATPase activity of myelin is not the result of microsomal contamination. Although the possibility of axolemmal contamination cannot be ruled out conclusively, indirect evidence suggest that this is not a significant factor and that Na + K ATPase may be a myelin-associated enzyme.     

A TIME-SEQUENCE AUTORADIOGRAPHIC STUDY OF THE IN VIVO INCORPORATION OF [1, 2-3H]CHOLESTEROL INTO PERIPHERAL NERVE MYELIN

A time-sequence study of the incorporation and distribution of cholesterol in peripheral nerve myelin was carried out by electron microscope autoradiography. [1,2-³H]Cholesterol was injected into 10-day old mice and the sciatic nerves were dissected out at 10, 20, 40, 60, 90, 120, and 180 min after the injection. 20 min after injection the higher densities of grains due to the presence of [³H]cholesterol were confined to the outer and inner edges of the myelin sheath. Practically no cholesterol was detected in the midzone of the myelin sheath. 1 ½ h after injection, cholesterol showed a wider distribution within the myelin sheath, the higher densities of grains occurring over the two peripheral myelin bands, each approximately 3,100 Å wide. Cholesterol was also present in the center of the myelin sheath but to a considerably lesser extent. 3 h after injection cholesterol appeared homogeneously distributed within the myelin sheath. Schwann cell and axon compartments were also labeled at each time interval studied beginning 20 min postinjection. These observations indicate that preformed cholesterol enters myelin first and almost simultaneously through the inner and outer edges of the sheath; only after 90 min does the density of labeled cholesterol in the central zone of myelin reach the same density as that in the outer and inner zones. These findings suggest that cholesterol used by the nerve fibers in the formation and maintenance of the myelin sheath enters the lamellae from the Schwann cell cytoplasm and from the axon. The possibility of a bidirectional movement of molecules, i.e. from the Schwann cell to the axon and from the axon to the Schwann cell through the myelin sheath, is noted. The results are discussed in the light of recent observations on the exchange, reutilization, and transaxonal movement of cholesterol.     

Unique role of dystroglycan in peripheral nerve myelination,nodal structure,and sodium channel stabilization

Dystroglycan is a central component of the dystrophin-glycoprotein complex implicated in the pathogenesis of several neuromuscular diseases. Although dystroglycan is expressed by Schwann cells, its normal peripheral nerve functions are unknown. Here we show that selective deletion of Schwann cell dystroglycan results in slowed nerve conduction and nodal changes including reduced sodium channel density and disorganized microvilli. Additional features of mutant mice include deficits in rotorod performance, aberrant pain responses, and abnormal myelin sheath folding. These data indicate that dystroglycan is crucial for both myelination and nodal architecture. Dystroglycan may be required for the normal maintenance of voltage-gated sodium channels at nodes of Ranvier, possibly by mediating trans interactions between Schwann cell microvilli and the nodal axolemma.