Ultrastructural peculiarities of interneuronal and neuromuscular relations in the trunkal part of the intraepidermal nervous system of Nerilla Sp. (Archiannelida)

This study deals with ultrastructural analysis of interneuronal and neuromuscular relations in a representative of archiannelid Nerilla sp. with primitive intraepidermal type of the nervous system. A particular attention has been paid to the area of ventral ciliate groove and the associated site of epidermis. In the ciliate groove, sensory and motor cilia are revealed and described. Sites of axonal terminals of the sensory cells supplied with cilia are noted in the epidermal nerve plexus. Epidermal-muscular cells and nerve terminals on them are revealed. Various interneuronal contact variants both of non-synaptic and of typically synaptic types are described. An attention is drawn to the rare presence of contacts of the gap junction type among interneuronal contacts in Nerilla sp. In sufficiently differentiated synapses of the chemical type, phenomena of exocytosis are described. There are shown specific features of innervation of longitudinal (somatic) musculature of the neril-lid body, including input of synaptic vesicles into the basal lamina substance and their translocation into the depth of the muscular layer.     

On the Fine Structure of Rastrognathia macrostoma gen. et sp.n. Placed in Rastrognathiidae fam.n. (Gnathostomulida)

Rastrognathia macrostoma gen. et sp.n. is described as belonging to Rastrognathiidae fam.n. The ultrastructure is described, especially the nervous and digestive systems and the epidermal specializations. In the epidermis the single cilia belong to the choanocyte-like cell type. An epidermal sensory cell with several cilia is described. The intraepithelial nervous system shows an orthogon pattern. Two ventral nerve trunks unite into a buccal ganglion. The jaws are secreted by the buccal epidermis. The endoderm consists of a single cell type. The food consists of bacteria. The mesodermal elements consist of six main longitudinal muscles.     

淡水鱼类寄生肠袋虫一新种

19851986年,作者于长江上游的四川省忠县、涪陵两地收到的中华倒刺鲃(Barbodes sinensis Bleeker)肠道中发现一种肠袋虫,感染率为50％。经仔细观察比较,确定为一新种,命名为涪陵肠道虫(Balantidium fulinensis sp.nov.),现将其形态描述于后。       

The interrelations of the lymphatic capillaries with the nerve structures in the wall of the small intestine]

The character of interrelations of nervous structures and the lymphatic capillary walls has been studied in cats. Under the light microscope twisted nervous fiber terminals of the intestinal neuron dendrites have been revealed around the lymphatic capillaries. Electron microscopical investigation has not revealed any specialized contacts of the nervous terminals and the lymphatic capillary walls. The receptors and terminals of axons do not situate nearer than 10 nm from the latter. According to the structure of synaptic vesicles among the axonal terminals next to the lymphatic capillary walls cholinergic, adrenergic and purinergic ones are described. The influence of the nervous system to the function of the small intestine lymphatic capillaries is mediated via the precapillary space. The neuromediators from the axonal terminals get into it owing to absence of neurolemmocytic membranes around them.     

Ultrastructural organization of the neuropil in layer I of the cat cerebral cortex

The ultrastructure of layer I in the middle ectosylvian gyrus (area 22) of the cat's cerebral cortex was investigated. Beneath the subpial astrocytic layer most of the neuropil in layer I was shown to be occupied by nerve fibers and their terminals, terminal branches, dendritic spines, and astrocytic processes surrounding them. More than 90% of the presynaptic terminals contained spherical synaptic vesicles. The predominant types of interneuronal junctions are axo-spinous and axo-dendritic synapses of asymmetrical type. Presynaptic terminals, which contain flattened and pleomorphic synaptic vesicles, take part in the formation of all symmetrical junctions, accounting for 6% of the total number of synapses. Large polymorphic outgrowths filled with vacuoles — so-called multivacuolar sacs — are described. These structures were invaginated into varicose expansion of the terminal branches of apical dendrites of pyramidal neurons. They are shown to be outgrowths of presynaptic terminals. Dependence of synaptic function on the shape of the synaptic vesicles is examined.I. S. Beritashvili Institute of Physiology, Academy of Sciences of the Georgian SSR, Tbilisi. Translated from Neirofiziologiya, Vol. 15, No. 1, pp. 50–55, January–February, 1983.     

Ultrastructural organization of the synapses in ganglia of the hen intestinal nerve under various conditions of its activity

The interneuronal connections in ganglia of the caudal part of the hen intestinal nerve of Remak are presented as axodendritic and axosomatic synapses and symmetric axo-axonal, dendro-dendritic and axodendritic contacts, often forming complicated complexes. Under conditions of preliminary decentralization or under certain disturbances of nervous connections with the intestine, a part of synapses remains, and a part of them degenerates, this demonstrates participation of peripheral afferent neurons in formation of the synaptic apparatus of the ganglia mentioned. The axonal terminals differentiate by composition of the synaptic vesicles: some contain mainly light agranular vesicles, others--a large amount of granular ones. The characteristic peculiarities of the hen intestinal nerve ganglia, in contrast to analogous mammalian ganglia, are abundant axosomatic synapses in some neurons, and presynaptic terminals, containing a large number of granular vesicles.     

Ultrastructural changes in the autonomic interneuronal synapse during activation in the presence of acetylcholinesterase suppression

Structural-functional reconstructions of the frog autonomic interneuronal synapsis have been studied at its activation with endogenic acetylcholine under conditions of acetylcholinesterase suppression. The investigation has been performed with preparations of isolated sympathetic trunk of Rana temporaria treated with armine (5 X 10(-6) M) and subjected to electrostimulation (5 imp/sec) up to a complete block of the synaptic transmission. Certain structural changes are revealed in the axo-somatic synapses, demonstrating an increased adhesive properties of the membranes, ("hatch-like" membranes, numerous submembranous aggregates, aggregates of the intercellular cleft and neuronal-glial contacts). In the terminals changed according to the "light type", with poorly manifested changes, light synaptic vesicles loose their spheric form, their diameter decreases. In the boutons with more intensive changes, the vesicles gradually change into the mass of cluster-floccular material. In the boutons with intensively manifested disorders in the ultrastructure, a complete destruction of the light vesicles is observed. The great part of the ganglionic neuron bodies changes according the "dark type". In their neuroplasm a great amount of subsuperficial cisterns of the endoplasmic reticulum and formation of powerful fasciculi of microfilaments are noted to appear.     

Interneuronal synapses in the local ganglia of the cat urinary bladder.

The interneuronal synapses of the urinary bladder in the cat were studied by electron microscopy. The great majority of the fibres containing vesicles are found within the ganglia occurring in the trigonum area. Morphologically differentiated synaptic contacts could be observed on the surface of the local neurons and between the different nerve processes. The presynaptic terminals can be divided into three types based on a combination of synaptic vesicles. Type I terminals, presumably cholinergic synaptic terminals, contain only small clear vesicles of 40-50 nm in diameter. Type II terminals, presumably adrenergic terminals, are characterized by small granulated vesicles of 40-60 nm in diameter. Type III terminals, probably of local origin, contain a variable number of large granulated vesicles of 80-140 nm in diameter. Occasionally, a single nerve fibre contacted several (two or four) other nerve processes forming a typical synapse. In other cases, on one nerve cell soma or on other nerve processes there are two or three different-type nerve terminals establishing synapses. It might be inferred from these observations that convergence and divergence can occur in the local ganglia and that cholinergic and adrenergic synaptic terminals can modulate the ganglionic activity. However, a local circuit also can play an important role in coordinating the function of the bladder.     

Expression and localization of agrin during sympathetic synapse formation in vitro

Agrin is a motoneuron-derived signaling factor that plays a key organizing role in the initial stages of neuromuscular synapse formation. Agrin is expressed in other regions of the developing central and peripheral nervous systems, however, raising the possibility that it also directs the formation of some interneuronal synapses. To address this question, we have examined the expression and localization of agrin during formation of cholinergic, interneuronal synapses in the sympathetic system. In the superior cervical ganglia (SCG) in vivo, we found that agrin is highly expressed, and that it is present at, but is not limited to, synapses. In SCG neuronal cultures that were treated with ciliary neurotrophic factor to induce a uniform cholinergic phenotype, we found that agrin immunostaining colocalized precisely with cholinergic terminals and aggregates of neuronal acetylcholine receptor on the neuronal cell bodies and dendrites. Moreover, we found that alpha-dystroglycan, which is a potential receptor for agrin, is also concentrated at these cholinergic synaptic contacts. Finally, the SCG neurons expressed the C-terminal isoform of agrin that is neural-specific and highly active in synaptogenesis, and also the N-terminal splice isoform that occurs as a type II transmembrane protein. These findings show that agrin is specifically localized at sympathetic synapses in vitro, and are consistent with it playing a role in interneuronal synapse formation.     

The system of cerebrospinal fluid-contacting neurons. Its supposed role in the nonsynaptic signal transmission of the brain

Recent investigations confirm the importance of nonsynaptic signal transmission in several functions of the nervous tissue. Present in various periventricular brain regions of vertebrates, the system of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)-contacting neurons seems to have a special role in taking up, transforming and emitting nonsynaptic signals mediated by the internal and external CSF and intercellular fluid of the brain. Most of the CSF-contacting nerve cells send dendritic processes into the internal CSF of the brain ventricles or central canal where they form terminals bearing stereocilia and a 9+0-, or 9+2-type cilium. Some of these neurons resemble known sensory cells of chemoreceptor-type, others may be sensitive to the pressure or flow of the CSF, or to the illumination of the brain tissue. The axons of the CSF-contacting neurons transmit information taken up by dendrites and perikarya to synaptic zones of various brain areas. By forming neurohormonal terminals, axons also contact the external CSF space and release various bioactive substances there. Some perikarya send their axons into the internal CSF, and form free endings there, or synapses on intraventricular dendrites, perikarya and/or on the ventricular surface of ependymal cells. Contacting the intercellular space, sensory-type cilia were also demonstrated on nerve cells situated in the brain tissue subependymally or farther away from the ventricles. Among neuronal elements entering the internal CSF-space, the hypothalamic CSF-contacting neurons are present in the magnocellular and parvicellular nuclei and in some circumventricular organs like the paraventricular organ and the vascular sac. The CSF-contacting dendrites of all these areas bear a solitary 9 x 2+0-type cilium and resemble chemoreceptors cytologically. In electrophysiological experiments, the neurons of the paraventricular organ are highly sensitive to the composition of the ventricular CSF. The axons of the CSF-contacting neurons terminate not only in the hypothalamic synaptic zones but also in tel-, mes- and rhombencephalic nuclei and reach the spinal cord as well. The supposed chemical information taken up by the CSF-contacting neurons from the ventricular CSF may influence the function of these areas of the central nervous system. Some nerve cells of the photoreceptor areas form sensory terminals similar to those of the hypothalamic CSF-contacting neurons. Special secondary neurons of the retina and pineal organ contact the retinal photoreceptor space and pineal recess respectively, both cavities being embryologically derived from the 3rd ventricle. The composition of these photoreceptor spaces is important in the photochemical transduction and may modify the activity of the secondary neurons. Septal and preoptic CSF-contacting neurons contain various opsins and other compounds of the phototransduction cascade and represent deep encephalic photoreceptors detecting the illumination of the brain tissue and play a role in the regulation of circadian and reproductive responses to light. The medullo-spinal CSF-contacting neurons present in the oblongate medulla, spinal cord and terminal filum, send their dendrites into the fourth ventricle and central canal. Resembling mechanoreceptors of the lateral line organ, the spinal CSF-contacting neurons may be sensitive to the pressure or flow of the CSF. The axons of these neurons terminate at the external CSF-space of the oblongate medulla and spinal cord and form neurohormonal nerve endings. Based on information taken up from the CSF, a regulatory effect on the production or composition of CSF was supposed for bioactive materials released by these terminals. Most of the axons of the medullospinal CSF-contacting neurons and the magno- and parvicellular neurosecretory nuclei running to neurohemal areas (neurohypophysis, median eminence, terminal lamina, vascular sac and urophysis) do not terminate directly on vessels, instead they form neurohormonal nerve terminals attached by half-desmosomes on the basal lamina of the external and vascular surface of the brain tissue. Therefore, the bioactive materials released from these terminals primarily enter the external CSF and secondarily, by diffusion into vessels and the composition of the external CSF, may have a modulatory effect on the bioactive substances released by the neurohormonal terminals. Contacting the intercellular space, sensory-type cilia were also demonstrated on nerve cells situated subependymally or farther away from the ventricles, among others in the neurosecretory nuclei. Since tight-junctions are lacking between ependymal cells of the ventricular wall, not only CSF-contacting but also subependymal ciliated neurons may be influenced by the actual composition of the CSF besides that of the intercellular fluid of the brain tissue. According to the comparative histological data summarised in this review, the ventricular CSF-contacting neurons represent the phylogenetically oldest component detecting the internal fluid milieu of the brain. The neurohormonal terminals on the external surface of the brain equally represent an ancient form of nonsynaptic signal transmission.     

Studies of cardiac ganglia in pre- and postnatal rabbits

Summary This investigation was undertaken to describe the ultrastructure of cardiac ganglia in rabbits from day 18 of gestation to day 35 postpartum. Special attention was directed to the types of synaptic contacts made with the principal neurons and with the small granule-containing cells. The cardiac ganglia in all animals consisted mainly of parasympathetic postganglionic neurons, supporting cells, and small granule-containing (small intensely fluorescent) cells. The neurons received afferent synaptic terminals of two types. One type contained mainly small clear vesicles typical of most cholinergic terminals. The second type contained mainly small dense-core vesicles (these were most prominent after treatment of the animal with 5-hydroxydopamine), and were considered to be adrenergic terminals. These adrenergic terminals are probably part of an inhibitory system in the ganglia. The small granule-containing cells received typical afferent synaptic terminals of the cholinergic type, and also formed specialized contacts with certain axonal terminals. These latter specializations are considered to be reciprocal synapses which probably have a role in modulating ganglionic transmission.Supported by the Kentucky Heart Association and the Heart Association of Louisville and Jefferson County     

Features of the motor innervation of striated muscle tissue of the esophagus

By means of neurohistological, histochemical and ultramicroscopical techniques it has been revealed that motor innervation of the oesophageal striated muscle tissue in rats and rabbits is performed by amyelinated nervous fibers, that terminate as nervous-muscle synapses. Ultrastructural peculiarities of these synapses are presented as a large amount of synaptic vesicles in the axonal terminal, as a poor ramification of secondary synaptic folds, as a considerable amount of mitochondria in the adjoining sarcoplasm. Reaction to acetylcholinesterase demonstrates that most of the motor nervous terminals belong to the racemose type. They are situated in the oesophageal musculature chaotically and have less area than synapses of the muscle of the locomotor apparatus.     

Neuronal and synaptic organization of the lateral geniculate nucleus of the tree shrew,Tupaia glis

Summary The ultrastructural study of the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) of the tree shrew (Tupaia glis) revealed two types of neurons: (1) a large thalamocortical relay cell (TCR), which may bear cilia, and (2) a small Golgi type-II interneuron (IN) with an invaginated nucleus. The narrow rim of pale cytoplasm of the IN contains fewer lysosomes and fewer Nissl bodies than the cytoplasm of the TCR. The IN perikarya, which in some cases establish somatosomatic contacts, frequently contain flattened or pleomorphic synaptic vesicles. The ratio of TCR to IN is 31.Three types of axon terminals were observed in the LGN. Two of them contain round synaptic vesicles but differ in size. The large RL boutons undergo dark degeneration after enucleation; they are the terminals of retino-geniculate fibers. The smaller RS boutons show dark degeneration after ablation of the visual cortex; they are the terminals of the cortico-geniculate fibers. The third type of bouton (F₁ does not degenerate after either intervention. The boutons of this type are filled with flattened vesicles and are believed to be intrageniculate terminals. F₂-profiles were interpreted as presynaptic dendrites of the IN. The characteristic synaptic glomeruli found in the LGN contain in their center an optic terminal. These optic terminals establish synaptic contacts with dendrites or spine-like dendritic protrusions of TCRs as well as with presynaptic dendrites. Synaptic triads were also seen. The distribution of the individual types of synaptic contacts in layers 3 and 4 was determined. Layer 4 contains only one third of the retino-geniculate synapses and of the synaptic contacts of F₁-terminals.     

Circadian Plasticity in Photoreceptor Cells Controls Visual Coding Efficiency in Drosophila melanogaster

In the fly Drosophila melanogaster, neuronal plasticity of synaptic terminals in the first optic neuropil, or lamina, depends on early visual experience within a critical period after eclosion [1]. The current study revealed two additional and parallel mechanisms involved in this type of synaptic terminal plasticity. First, an endogenous circadian rhythm causes daily oscillations in the volume of photoreceptor cell terminals. Second, daily visual experience precisely modulates the circadian time course and amplitude of the volume oscillations that the photoreceptor-cell terminals undergo. Both mechanisms are separable in their molecular basis. We suggest that the described neuronal plasticity in Drosophila ensures continuous optimal performance of the visual system over the course of a 24 h-day. Moreover, the sensory system of Drosophila cannot only account for predictable, but also for acute, environmental changes. The volumetric changes in the synaptic terminals of photoreceptor cells are accompanied by circadian and light-induced changes of presynaptic ribbons as well as extensions of epithelial glial cells into the photoreceptor terminals, suggesting that the architecture of the lamina is altered by both visual exposure and the circadian clock. Clock-mutant analysis and the rescue of PER protein rhythmicity exclusively in all R1-6 cells revealed that photoreceptor-cell plasticity is autonomous and sufficient to control visual behavior. The strength of a visually guided behavior, the optomotor turning response, co-varies with synaptic-terminal volume oscillations of photoreceptor cells when elicited at low light levels. Our results show that behaviorally relevant adaptive processing of visual information is performed, in part, at the level of visual input level.     

Electron microscopic study on the innervation of the pancreas of the domestic fowl

Summary The innervation of the pancreas of the domestic fowl was studied electron microscopically. The extrapancreatic nerve is composed mostly of unmyelinated nerve fibers with a smaller component of myelinated nerve fibers. The latter are not found in the parenchyma. The pancreas contains ganglion cells in the interlobular connective tissue. The unmyelinated nerve fibers branch off along blood vessels. Their synaptic terminals contact with the exocrine and endocrine tissues. The synaptic terminals can be divided into four types based on a combination of three kinds of synaptic vesicles. Type I synaptic terminals contain only small clear vesicles about 600 Å in diameter. Type II terminals are characterized by small clear and large dense core vesicles 1,000 Å in diameter. Type III terminals contain small clear vesicles and small dense core vesicles 500 Å in diameter. Type IV terminals are characterized by small and large dense core vesicles. The exocrine tissue receives a richer nervous supply than the endocrine tissue. Type II and IV terminals are distributed in the acinus, and they contact A and D cells of the islets. B cells and pancreatic ducts are supplied mainly by Type II terminals, the blood vessels by Type IV terminals.This work was supported by a scientific research grant (No. 144017) and (No. 136031) from the Ministry of Education of Japan to Prof. M. Yasuda     

The ventricular surface of the area postrema and the adjacent area subpostrema in the rabbit brain]

The ependymal surface of the area postrema (rabitt) was examined by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The flattened ependymal cells show few microvilli. Towards the central canal, the ependymal cells change gradually to a columnar shape; the number of microvilli increases concomitantly. The area postrema ependymal cell surface mostly bears a single cilia. In contrast, a region immediately adjacent to the area postrema, which has been named area subpostrema (Gwyn and Wolstencroft 1968), shows cilia arranged in bunches. These cilia are regularly covered with colloid -- like droplets. A period-acid-bisulfit-aldehydthionine method (Specht 1970) permits to identify these droplets with glyproteids.it has been suggested that the droplets might derive from the area subpostrema ependymal cells. Above the ependymal surface of the area postrema, a great number of fine unmyelinated neuronal processes and thicker processes are observed. Some of them show bulb-like endings. These terminals contain small vesicles, dense cored vesicles (400...800 A), and mitochondria which are mostly characterized by a single central prismatic tubule. The plasmalemma of some bulbs is in a synaptic contact with the apical plasmalemma of the ependyma, while other bulbs see to end freely in the ventricle. Some neuronal processes penetrate between ependymal cells of the area postrema into the ventricular lumen.     

Balanion masanensis n. sp. (ciliophora: prostomatea) from the coastal waters of Korea: morphology and small subunit ribosomal RNA gene sequence

The planktonic ciliate Balanion masanensis n. sp. is described from living cells, from cells prepared by quantitative protargol staining (QPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmitted electron microscopy (TEM) preparations, and the sequence of its nuclear small subunit rDNA (SSU rDNA) is reported. This species is almost ovoid with a flattened anterior oral region when the cells are alive and stained. The flattened anterior region of a living cell often forms a dome with the perimeter receded in a groove, and this region is easily inflated or depressed. In SEM photos, a brosse of six to nine monokinetids (or possibly three to five dikinetids) was observed inside the circumoral dikinetids. In TEM photos, circumoral microtubular ribbons were observed below the oral cilia, which along with the oral flaps were 8-16 microm in length. The cytostome is a slight funnel-like central depression on the flattened anterior end. The morphological characteristics of this ciliate are identical to those of the genus Balanion (Order Prorodontida). The ranges (and mean+/-standard deviation) of cell length, cell width, and oral diameter of living cells (n=23-26) were 27-43 microm (35.2+/-4.6), 25-32 microm (28.6+/-2.3), and 25-30 microm (27.6+/-1.3), respectively, while those of the QPS-stained specimens (n=70) were 23-37 microm (30.6+/-3.5), 26-35 microm (30.7+/-2.2), and 26-33 microm (29.5+/-1.5), respectively. Forty-six to 55 somatic kineties (SKs) were equally spaced around the cell body and extended from the oral to near the posterior regions with 24-50 monokinetids per kinety. Each kinetid bore a cilium 2.8-7.2 microm long. A caudal cilium (ca 14 microm long) arose on the posterior end. The single ellipsoid macronucleus is 6.8-13.4 x 6.8-10.5 microm, accompanied by a single micronucleus (2.0-2.8 x 1.5-2.5 microm) visible only in QPS specimens. Because, the cell size, the number of SKs, and the number of kinetosomes per SK of this ciliate were much greater than those of Balanion comatum and Balanion planctonicum, the only two Balanion species so far reported, we have established B. masanensis n. sp. When properly aligned, the sequence of the SSU rDNA of B. masanensis n. sp. (GenBank Accession No. AM412525) was approximately 9% different from that of Coleps hirtus (Colepidae, Prorodontida) and 12% different from that of Prorodon teres (Prorodontidae, Prorodontida).     

Ultrastructural characteristics of axon terminals of the posterior lateral nucleus of the thalamus in the cat]

Two kinds of axon terminals: fine M-terminals with the diameter up to 2 mkm and large K-terminals with the diameter up to 6 mkm were found in electron microscopic study of the posterior lateral nucleus of the cat's thalamus. M-terminals comprising 88% of the total amount of the axon terminations under analysis are characterized by a great amount of densely packed light round synaptic vesicles and solitary mitochondria. These terminals form asymmetrical type of contacts in which the post-synaptic network is distinguished with a high degree of osmiophilia. The K-terminals contain a few rarely distributed round light synaptic vesicles and many mitochondria which are disposed in the central part of the termination. These terminals form a symmetrical type of synaptic contacts with poorly pronounced active zones in these formations. In axo-axonal contacts between the described kinds of terminals the K-terminals always serve as a presynapse. After extirpation of the sincipital cortex M-terminals underwent degeneration.     

Fine Structure of the Feeding Stage of A Sorogenic Ciliate, Sorogena Stoianovitchae Gen. N., Sp. N.

SYNOPSIS. A new species of kinetophragminophoran ciliate, collected from dried vegetation and capable of forming an aerial sorocarp, is described and named Sorogena stoianovitchae gen. n., sp. n. This ciliate is a voracious predator that feeds on species of Colpoda , and, when the latter is depleted in numbers, aggregates to forms sorogens. Each sorogen rises into the air from the surface of the water, forming a secreted stalk with a sorus of cysts at its apex. the feeding stage of the ciliate resembles an Enchelys in that it has an apical, slit-like mouth surrounded by a lip, a somewhat dorso-ventrally flattened body, and meridional kineties. Its length ranges from 40–75 μm and width from 23–55 μm. It has a typical rhabdos type of cytopharynx, but no specialized oral ciliature. the somatic kineties are formed of rows of paired kinetosomes with associated microfibrils, the arrangement of which differs a little from that of other ciliates of this subclass. Sorogena has tentatively been placed in the order Haptorida although it lacks toxicysts, recognizable mucocysts, and clavate cilia. Its unique life cycle and some of the details of its fine structure indicate differences between Sorogena and other haptorids so profound that a new family, SOROGENIDAE, is created for it. the type species (PNG76-73) was collected on dry figs at the Wau Ecology Institute, Papua New Guinea.     

Terminal Axonal Arborization and Synaptic Bouton Formation Critically Rely on Abp1 and the Arp2/3 Complex

Neuronal network formation depends on properly timed and localized generation of presynaptic as well as postsynaptic structures. Although of utmost importance for understanding development and plasticity of the nervous system and neurodegenerative diseases, the molecular mechanisms that ensure the fine-control needed for coordinated establishment of pre- and postsynapses are still largely unknown. We show that the F-actin-binding protein Abp1 is prominently expressed in the Drosophila nervous system and reveal that Abp1 is an important regulator in shaping glutamatergic neuromuscular junctions (NMJs) of flies. STED microscopy shows that Abp1 accumulations can be found in close proximity of synaptic vesicles and at the cell cortex in nerve terminals. Abp1 knock-out larvae have locomotion defects and underdeveloped NMJs that are characterized by a reduced number of both type Ib synaptic boutons and branches of motornerve terminals. Abp1 is able to indirectly trigger Arp2/3 complex-mediated actin nucleation and interacts with both WASP and Scar. Consistently, Arp2 and Arp3 loss-of-function also resulted in impairments of bouton formation and arborization at NMJs, i.e. fully phenocopied abp1 knock-out. Interestingly, neuron- and muscle-specific rescue experiments revealed that synaptic bouton formation critically depends on presynaptic Abp1, whereas the NMJ branching defects can be compensated for by restoring Abp1 functions at either side. In line with this presynaptic importance of Abp1, also presynaptic Arp2 and Arp3 are crucial for the formation of type Ib synaptic boutons. Interestingly, presynaptic Abp1 functions in NMJ formation were fully dependent on the Arp2/3 complex, as revealed by suppression of Abp1-induced synaptic bouton formation and branching of axon terminals upon presynaptic Arp2 RNAi. These data reveal that Abp1 and Arp2/3 complex-mediated actin cytoskeletal dynamics drive both synaptic bouton formation and NMJ branching. Our data furthermore shed light on an intense bidirectional functional crosstalk between pre- and postsynapses during the development of synaptic contacts.