Ligation and synthesis of chromatin deoxyribonucleic acid in vitro in neuronal, glial and liver nuclei isolated from adult guinea pig

Neuron-rich and glial nuclear preparations and liver nuclei were isolated from adult guinea pigs. These nuclei were incubated to carry out DNA-ligation and -synthesis reactions. Before and after incubation, the sizes of single-standed DNA and DNA-synthesis patterns in single strands were analysed by using alkaline sucrose-density-gradient centrifugation. Isolation of nuclei by cell-fractionation technique shortened chromatin DNA and decreased markedly the number-average molecular weight of DNA strands. Chromatin DNA in neuronal and glial nuclei was ligated at the nicks during incubation in a reaction mixture containing ATP, Mg(2+), dithiothreitol and four deoxyribonucleotides. The number-average molecular weights were estimated to increase 1.1-and 2.1-fold in neuronal and glial nuclei respectively. DNA strands in liver nuclei were shortened during incubation, but elongated under conditions that inhibit deoxyribonuclease. Since the endogenous deoxyribounuclease activity was conspicuously higher in liver nuclei than in neuronal and glial nuclei, the shortening and elongation were thought to depend on the balance between DNA ligase and deoxyribonuclease reactions. DNA synthesis occurred at the gaps in chromatin DNA and about 50% of the total synthesized DNA was found in the shorter strands having 6 to 297 bases in all species of nuclei. Based on these results, it was concluded that in nuclei isolated from non-dividing cells (neurons) and slowly dividing cells (glial and liver cells) DNA-ligation and -synthesis reactions proceeded in parallel at the breaks in single-stranded DNA, which was produced mainly by endogenous deoxyribonuclease during isolation and incubation processes.     

Studies on ribonucleic acid and homopolyribonucleotide formation in neuronal, glial and liver nuclei

1. Various types of nuclear preparations, with different ratios of neuronal to glial nuclei, were isolated from guinea-pig cerebral grey matter and ox cerebral grey matter and white matter. Conditions appropriate for the separate assay of RNA and poly A formation were described. Comparative rates of RNA and poly A formation were studied in cerebral and liver nuclei. 2. RNA polymerase activity per nucleus is higher in neuronal nuclei than in glial nuclei. In liver nuclei, the activity is much lower than in cerebral nuclei. The physical relationship between RNA polymerase and deoxyribonucleoprotein seems to differ in neuronal, glial and liver nuclei. 3. Poly A polymerase activity in liver nuclei is selectively activated by Mn(2+) and inhibited by GTP, CTP and UTP. On a DNA basis, the activity in an aggregate enzyme is the same as in intact nuclei. Poly A polymerase activity per nucleus is much higher in liver nuclei than in neuronal nuclei. Glial nuclei show an intermediate activity. 4. It is suggested that, in neuronal nuclei, the synthesis of RNA is more prominent than that of poly A under conditions where both polymers are formed simultaneously. This contrasts with liver nuclei, where more poly A is made than RNA. 5. In neuronal nuclei, the rate of CTP incorporation is much higher than in glial and liver nuclei. This incorporation is most probably due to poly C synthesis.     

Subsurface cisterns in paraventricular nuclei of the hypothalamus of the rat

Summary Structures identified as subsurface cisterns (SSC's) were found in neurons of the paraventricular nuclei of the rat hypothalamus. They appeared as cytoplasmic organelles consisting most often of stacks of parallel cisterns apposed to the neuronal plasmalemma. These SSC's were located in the interneurons of the parvocellular system, but not in neurosecretory cells and glial cells. SSC's were seen at zones of cytoplasm apposed to neuronal or glial cell processes, showing in some instances specific relationships with synaptic areas.The morphological features of these SSC's are described, and their possible functional significance is briefly discussed.     

Distribution of osmoregulatory peptides and neuronal-glial configuration in the hypothalamic magnocellular nuclei of desert rodents

The desert rodents Psammomys obesus and Gerbillus tarabuli live under extreme conditions and overcome food and water shortage by modes of food and fluid intake specific to each species. Using immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy, we found that the hypothalamic magnocellular nuclei, and in particular, their vasopressinergic component, is highly and similarly developed in Psammomys and Gerbillus. In comparison to other rodents, the hypothalamus in both species contains more magnocellular VP neurons that, together with oxytocin neurons, accumulate in distinct and extensive nuclei. As in dehydrated rodents, many magnocellular neurons contained both neuropeptides. A striking feature of the hypothalamic magnocellular system of Psammomys and Gerbillus was its display of ultrastructural properties related to heightened neurosecretion, namely, a significant reduction in glial coverage of neuronal somata and dendrites in the hypothalamic nuclei. There were many neuronal elements whose surfaces were directly juxtaposed and shared the same synapses. Their magnocellular nuclei also showed a high level of sialylated isoform of the Neural Cell Adhesion Molecule (PSA-NCAM) that underlies their capacity for neuronal and glial plasticity. These species thus offer striking models of structural neuronal and glial plasticity linked to natural conditions of heightened neurosecretion.     

Cytologie du lobe anterieur de l'hypophyse du chien

Summary Detailed histochemical studies have been made on the distribution of various enzymes such as phosphatases, cholinesterases, glycolytic enzymes and respiratory enzymes in various components of the hypothalamus with special reference to the supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei of the Squirrel Monkey. Cytological studies have also been made by the McManus, Einarson, Gomori and Bargmann methods.A few neurons of these nuclei showed scanty Gomori-positive material in the cytoplasm for the Gomori and Bargmann methods. Nissl granules were located in the peripheral cytoplasm of most neurons. No glycogen granules were observed in these neurons. For these reasons, the Squirrel Monkey, like the rat, may not be a suitable species for the study of neurosecretory phenomena.The axons of these neurons were negative for the specific cholinesterase test, though the perikaryon and some parts of the processes gave a moderately positive reaction. These neurons may be non-cholinergic and the cholinergic fibers from an unknown nucleus may end in synapses on their cell bodies. Blood vessels and glial cells in the neurosecretory nuclei showed non-specific cholinesterase activity. This enzyme may hydrolyze the acetylcholine which has escaped splitting by specific cholinesterase. Alkaline phosphatase and acid phosphatase in these neurons may be involved in the metabolism concerned with the production of neurosecretory material. The neurons may be physicochemical receptors and may get enough energy and raw material to synthesize the neurosecretory material from the rich blood supply. Neurons of the supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei as well as other hypothalamic neurons, like neurons of other regions of the brain, are well equipped with the enzymes of the glycolytic pathways and the tricarboxylic acid cycle. Since the glial cells of these nuclei have amylophosphorylase activity and glycolytic pathways, they may work as energy donators to the neurons of the neurosecretory nuclei. T. R. Shanthaveerappa in previous publications.     

The effect of castration upon the ultrastructure of the rat hypothalamus

Summary The neurosecretory hypothalamic nuclei and the inner zone of the median eminence of castrated rats were studied under the electron microscope. After one month of castration all the neurosecretory neurons of both nuclei show signs of hyperactivity characterized by dilated cisternae of the endoplasmic reticulum containing a macromolecular filamentous material and an increase in the number of ribosomes. After six months of castration, some neurosecretory neurons show an increased number of neurotubules and larger lysosomes than in the controls. Other neurons show a very significant hypertrophy of the endoplasmic reticulum, with large amounts of intracisternal filamentous material. These cells have few neurosecretory granules and in the adjacent synapses the number of granulated vesicles is increased. In the supraoptic nucleus there are two kinds of neurosecretory axons: the clear ones, which are similar to those that appear in control animals and the dark ones, which have smaller elementary granules. In the inner zone of the median eminence the axons show an increase in the number of neurosecretory granules with respect to the controls. After supplementary administration of sexual hormones, all the modifications produced by castration disappear. The ultrastructural changes observed in the neurosecretory nuclei after castration are discussed in relation to those previously described in the neurohypophysis under the same experimental conditions. A feedback regulatory action of sex hormones on hypothalamic neurosecretory neurons is postulated.Supported by grants from the Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas and by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AF-AFOSR 963-67).We are deeply indebted to Mrs. Defilippi-Novoa and Mr. Alberto Saenz for their skillful assistence.     

Analysis of Histones Associated with Neuronal and Glial Nuclei Exhibiting Divergent DNA Repeat Lengths

Abstract: Total cerebral hemisphere nuclei purified from adult rabbit brain were subfractionated into neuronal and glial populations. Previous studies have shown that chromatin in neuronal nuclei is organized in an unusual nucleosome conformation compared with glial or kidney nuclei, i.e., a short DNA repeat length is present. We now analyze whether this difference in chromatin organization is associated with an alteration in the histone component of nucleosomes. Total histone isolated by acid/urea-protamine extraction of purified neuronal, glial, and kidney nuclei was analyzed by electrophoresis on SDS-polyacrylamide slab gels. Histone H1 that was selectively extracted from nuclei was also examined. Differences were not observed on SDS gels in the electrophoretic mobilities of histones associated with either the nucleosome core particle (histones H2A, H2B, H3, H4) or the nucleosome linker region (histone H1). Total histone and selectively extracted histone H1 were also analyzed on acid/urea slab gels that resolve histones on the basis of both molecular weight and charge differences. When analyzed in this system, differences with respect to electrophoretic mobility were not detected when comparing either selectively extracted histone H1 or total histone from neuronal and glial nuclei. Quantitative analyses were also performed and neuronal nuclei were found to contain less histone H1 per milligram DNA compared with glial or kidney nuclei. Neuronal nuclei also demonstrated a lower ratio of histone H1/core histone. These results suggest that the pronounced difference in chromatin organization in neuronal compared with glial nuclei, which is reflected by a short DNA repeat length in neurons, appears to be associated with quantitative differences in neuronal histone H1.     

Influence of Seizures on Lipids of Homogenate and Neuronal and Glial Nuclei of Rat Neocortex

Lipid composition of homogenate and neuronal and glial nuclei of the brain cortex of Wistar rats was studied under normal conditions and after seizures induced by injection of picrotoxin. Seizures increased contents of lysophosphatidylcholine, sphingomyelin, and total phospholipids in the homogenate. In neuronal nuclei contents of total phospholipids, sphingomyelin, phosphatidylcholine, and phosphatidylserine decreased, and contents of free fatty acids and lysophosphatidylcholine increased. In glial nuclei content of total phospholipids decreased and content of free fatty acids increased. The role of changes in the lipid composition of the neocortex cells during seizures and the involvement of lipid messengers in signal mechanisms are discussed.     

Developmental changes in chromatin organization in rat cerebral hemisphere neurons and analysis of DNA reassociation kinetics

Previous reports have demonstrated that neuronal nuclei of rabbit, mouse and rat cerebral hemispheres exhibit a short DNA repeat length of 160 bp compared to the more typical repeat size of 200 bp found in glial nuclei and other cell types of higher eukaryotes. In this study we report that the conversion of chromatin to a short DNA repeat length in rat cerebral hemisphere neurons is a gradual process which begins between the first and second day after birth and is complete by 8 days. In these neurons, histone H1 appears to be less accessible to degradation by trypsin in the newborn rat brain compared to the 8 day old rat. This suggests that the developmental shift to a short DNA repeat length may be accompanied by a dispersal or decondensation of neuronal chromatin which results in an increased accessibility of neuronal histone H1 to degradation by trypsin. The increase in nuclear DNA content to 3.5C which has been reported in rat cortical neurons during early postnatal development does not appear to be associated with a selective amplification of a subset of DNA sequences as determined by DNA reassociation kinetics.     

Lipids of nuclear fractions from neurons and glia of rat neocortex under conditions of artificial hypobiosis

Lipid contents were studied in tissue and nuclei isolated from neurons and glia of neocortex of rats under conditions of normothermia and in the state of artificial hypobiosis caused by hypothermia-hypoxia-hypercapnia. Compared to the neocortex tissue, both nuclear fractions were fivefold impoverished in phospholipids and cholesterol and strongly enriched with mono- and diglycerides and fatty acids. The nuclear fractions from neurons and glia contained similar amounts of phospholipids, and only the cardiolipin content in the neuronal nuclei was lower than in the glial nuclei. The state of artificial hypobiosis in rats led to an increase in the cholesterol/phospholipids ratio (mol/mol) in the nuclei from the neurons and glia; amounts of cholesterol and sphingomyelin in the nuclei from the glia were increased. The increases in the cholesterol and sphingomyelin contents and in the cholesterol/phospholipids ratio suggest an involvement of lipid-dependent signaling systems of the nuclei in the functional response of mammalian neocortex cells to artificial hypobiosis.     

Cytophotometric Evidence of Non-S-Phase Extra-Dna In Human Neuronal Nuclei

After Feulgen staining with acriflavine-Schiff, the DNA content of glial and neuronal nuclei from various sites of the human CNS (pre- and post-central gyrus, cerebellar cortex and spinal cord) were determined by fluorescence cytophotometry. the specimens were obtained from twelve adult human autopsy cases. Glial cell nuclei always revealed a biomodal DNA distribution pattern with a large 2c and a smaller 4c peak. the 4c peak was most prominent in the cerebellum. A few 8c glial nuclei were found. Neuronal cell nuclei disclosed unimodal DNA histograms with hyperdiploid means in the range 2.2–2.5c (1.8–2.9c for the individual populations). Tetraploid 4c DNA values were not observed, neither in Purkinje cells, nor in pyramidal cells. In eleven out of a total of forty-four slides the higher DNA means of neuronal nuclei were found to be statistically significant (P < 0.05) when compared with a population of 2c hepatocytes on the same slide. The results indicate the existence of some ‘extra DNA’ in human neuronal cell nuclei, the biological significance of which has still to be elucidated. It is however, suggested that it may play an important role in the functional activity of the CNS.     

Changes in metabolic activity of neurons in the anterior hypothalamus nuclei during hyperthermia, fever, and hypothermia

Differently directed changes in metabolic activity of anterior hypothalamic nuclei's neurons in rats during hyperthermia, fever, and hypothermia were revealed with histochemical methods. During hyperthermia, the activity of energy metabolism enzymes increased as well as RNA content in the neurons of supraoptic, paraventricular and median preoptic anterior hypothalamic nuclei. This is shown by an increase in the metabolic activity of neurons of these nuclei. Metabolic activity in neurons of median preoptic nuclei decreased and was not changed considerably in neurons of supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei during endotoxin-induced fever. The development of hypothermia was characterised by a decrease in metabolic activity of neurons of supraoptic, paraventricular and medium preoptic nuclei. It is supposed that differently directed metabolic activity changes in neurons of anterior hypothalamic nuclei during hyperthermia are connected with the mechanisms of body temperature regulation (median preoptic nuclei) and neurosecretory processes (supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei).     

Morphological study of the neurosecretory hypothalamo-hypophyseal system and thyroid gland in intestinal carcinogenesis]

Pathomorphology of the neurosecretory hypothalamo-hypophyseal system and the thyroid gland of 150 rats of both sexes was investigated in intestinal carcinogenesis induced by 1.2-dimethyl hydrazine. Inhibition of the neurosecretory activity of paraventricular and supraoptical nuclei as well as atrophic changes in th: thyroid gland were found to be associated with the latent period of carcinogenesis. The arising of the intestinal tumor is accompanied by hypertrophy of neurons and their nuclei, by a decrease in the neurosecretory substance content and the thyroid gland tendency to return to normal. The tumor spreading provoked neuron hypertrophy and the reduction of the neurosecretory substance as well and pronounced atrophic changes in the thyroid gland.     

Cytophotometric comparisons of DNA levels in neuronal and glial cells of the cerebellum: A comparative study

Several cytochemical studies of the DNA content and ploidy status of neuronal cell nuclei in the central nervous system have reported the occurrence of hyperdiploid amounts of DNA in Purkinje cells and suggest the existence of some type of ‘extra’ DNA, the biological significance of which is, as yet, unknown. To explore this phenomenon further, the DNA content of glial and Purkinje cell nuclei was determined in several vertebrate species, using the DNA-specific fluorochrome 4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) to stain isolated cerebellar nuclei for analysis with a single parameter flow cytometer. The Feulgen reaction for DNA was used to stain liver and cerebellar tissue imprints for the measurement of individual nuclei with a Vickers M86 integrating microdensitometer. In both types of analyses, chicken erythrocyte nuclei served as an internal reference standard of 2.5 pg DNA per cell. The mean DNA content of Purkinje cells and glial or granule cells was essentially the same as that found for diploid (2C) non-neuronal cells, such as hepatocytes, in rainbow trout, Amazon molly fish, salamander (Plethodon), mouse, rat, rabbit, cat, dog, monkey and human. Although Purkinje cell nuclei with 4C DNA levels were found in all of these species, except salamander and rabbit, the frequency of such cells was low (1–7%) and varied with the species. There was a low incidence of Purkinje cell nuclei with interclass DNA amounts in all species examined. Our data show that most neuronal cell nuclei in the cerebellum contain 2C levels of DNA.     

Aortic coarctation hypertension induces fibroblast growth factor-2 immunoreactivity in the stimulated nucleus tractus solitarii

The actions of neurotrophic factors i.e. basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF, FGF-2) to neurons are related not only to neuronal development and maintenance but also to synaptic plasticity regarding neurotransmission. We analyzed here the levels of FGF-2 immunoreactivity in the nucleus tractus solitarii (NTS) of Wistar Kyoto rats in response to alterations of neuronal activity promoted by the stimulation of the baroreceptor reflex following an aortic coarctation-induced-hypertension. The FGF-2 immunoreactivity (IR) was found in the cytoplasm of the neurons and in the nuclei of the glial cells in the NTS. A large number of NTS neurons expressed FOS immunoreactivity 4 h after coarctation, as an indication of neuronal activity. Stereological methods showed an increased number of FGF-2 immunoreactive (ir) neuronal profiles (90%) and glial profiles (149%) in the NTS of the 72 h aortic coarctated rats. 1-week later, FGF-2 ir neurons were still increased (54%) but no change was found in the number of FGF-2 ir glial profiles. The double immunoperoxidase method revealed that the majority of the FGF-2 ir glial cells was glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) positive astrocytes. GFAP immunohistochemistry showed an astroglial reaction at 72 h time-interval (55%) but not 1 week after stimulation. The number of the cresyl violet positive neurons and OX42 ir profiles (marker of activated microglia) in the NTS of coarctated rats were not different from control by 1 week and 1 month after the surgery, indicating a lack of NTS injury in this period following coarctation hypertension. FGF-2 may be an important neurotrophic factor in areas involved in the control of blood pressure. The increased FGF-2 IR in the NTS cells following neuronal stimulation may represent trophic and plastic adaptive responses in this nucleus in an autocrine/paracrine fashion.     

Some aspects of the structural organization of the arthropod ganglia

Summary This paper deals with the fine structure of the abdominal ganglia of several species of arthropods belonging to the classes Arachnida, Crustacea, Myriapoda and Insecta. The tissues were fixed in osmium tetroxide and embedded in n-butyl methacrylate or fixed in potasium permanganate and embedded in a mixture of X 133/2097 and Araldite.A comparative study was made in order to discriminate between those structural characteristics of the nervous system appearing only in determined taxonomic groups and those belonging to a fundamental plan common to the whole Phylum. This work covers the morphology of neurons, glial cells, neuropilic nerve fibers and neuronal connections.Most arthropod neurons are pear-shaped with only one prolongation and the nucleus is located in the center of the soma, enveloped by two membranes showing numerous pores. Cisternae of the ER have frequently been observed in continuity with this nuclear envelope. After osmic fixation the nuclear content appears to consist of small dense granules distributed at random in the nucleoplasm. In addition to these small perticles there are, in some species, large chromatin blocks. The use of Permanganate as fixative introduces important changes in the nuclear aspect; most of the nuclei look washed and the nuclear content acquires an homogeneous appearance.The cytoplasm of the neurons contains a complex system of internal membranes consisting of cisternae and tubuli of the ER system, lamellae of the Golgi complex and invaginations of the plasma membrane. In most species the elements of the ER system are distributed at random in the cytoplasm but in the neurons of Bothriurus bonariensis there are parallel aggregations of membranes similar to the Nissl bodies found in vertebrates.It was found in some of the species studied (Armadillidium vulgare and Lithobius Sp.) that the internal membrane system of the nerve cells is mainly represented by Golgi elements while the ER system seems to be poorly developed.Besides the membranous components, the neuronal cytoplasm contains mitochondria, multivesicular bodies and dense granules of neurosecretory material.Neuroglial cells are mainly characterized by their nuclear structure. After the action of osmium tetroxide, glial nuclei show irregular masses of chromatin inmersed in a nucleoplasm of low electron density. In permanganate fixed material these chromatin blocks appear as blank spaces.In the cytoplasm of these cells there are mitochondria, membranes pertaining to the ER system and elements of the Golgi complex but in some of the species studied gliofibrils and granules of pigment were found.Three main types of neuroglial cells have been recognized in an arthropod ganglia. These are: subcapsular glial cells, neuron satellites and nerve fiber satellites.The neuropile occupies the central region of the ganglion and consists of a great number of nerve fibers intermingled with glial processes. The neuropilic n. fibers consistently show profiles of ER membranes and tubuli pertaining to the ER system. In some of these fibers the ER reaches a high degree of development. In Armadillidium there is a special type of n. fiber containing a regular sequence of transversally oriented cisternae. Arthropod fibers sometimes contain thin parallel filaments as well as typical ER elements.Mitochondria, small vesicles and dense granules are commonly found within the neuroplasm of the neuropilic fibers. It is important to note that in arthropods, microvesicles are not restricted to the terminal region of the nerve fibers but that they may also occur all along the fibers.Arthropod neurons are enveloped by a glial insulating capsule and therefore interneuron contacts may only occur at neuropile level. These contacts are of three different morphological types: cross contacts, longitudinal contacts and end-knob contacts. At the level of longitudinal and cross contacts the neuroplasm shows no increase in the number of microvesicles or mitochondria. In the end-knob contacts, on the contrary, large numbers of microvesicles appear concentrated in the pre-synaptic fiber only, and occasionally in both fibers the pre-synaptic and the post-synaptic.It is maintained that funcional interneuron connections may result not only from contacts between fibers containing vesicles, but also between fibers in which vesicles are absent.     

Effect of apoptotic proteins on function of rat vasopressin-and dopaminergic hypothalamic neurons

To study character of effect of apoptotic signal proteins on activities of neurosecretory cells and neurons of rat hypothalamus, pharmacological inhibitors of proapoptotic protein p53 Pifithrin-α and antiapoptotic protein Bcl-2 HA14-1 were injected into hypothalamus. Activation of vasopressinergic neurosecretory cells at administration of the blocker Bcl-2 HA14-1 was shown: there were observed an increase of vasopressin mRNA in neurons of hypothalamic supraoptical and paraventricular nuclei, a decrease of the immunoreactive vasopressin content in posterior pituitary, and reduction of diuresis. Inactivation of p53 inhibited release of vasopressin from hypothalamus cell bodies, which is indicated by an elevated content of immunoreactive vasopressin in neurosecretory cell bodies with its unchanged synthesis, a decrease of the neurohormone content in the posterior pituitary, and an increase of diuresis rate. Activation of vasopressinergic neurons of the suprachiasmatic nucleus was also shown. Administration of the blocker of Bcl-2 has been revealed to decrease functional activity both of dopaminergic neurons (zona incerta) and of dopaminergic neurosecretory cells (arcuate nucleus), in which a decrease of the tyrosine hydroxylase content was observed. The p53 inactivation also led to a decrease of activity of dopaminergic neurosecretory cells of arcuate nucleus, whereas activity of the neurons of zona incerta did not change. Thus, it has been shown that a change of the apoptotic protein content in vasopressinergic and dopaminergic neurons and neurosecretory cells leads to a change of their functional activity, the character and possibly mechanisms of effects of apoptotic proteins on activities of vasopressin-and dopaminergic cells being different.     

Effect of apoptosis proteins on function of vasopressin- and dopaminergic hypothalamic neurons

To study character of effect of apoptosis signal proteins on activities of neurosecretory cells and neurons of rat hypothalamus, pharmacologic inhibitors of proapoptotic protein p53 Pifithrin-alpha and antiapoptotic protein Bcl-2 HA14-1 were injected into the hypothalamus. Activation of vasopressinergic neurosecretory cells at administration of the blocker Bcl-2 HA14-1 was shown: there were observed an increase of vasopressin mRNA in neurons of hypothalamus supraoptical and paraventricular nuclei, a decrease of the immunoreactive vasopressin content in posterior pituitary, and reduction of diuresis. Inactivation of p53 inhibited release of vasopressin from hypothalamus cell bodies, which is indicated by an elevated content of immunoreactive vasopressin in neurosecretory cell bodies with its unchanged synthesis, a decrease of the neurohormone content in the posterior pituitary, and an increase of diuresis rate. Activation of vasopressinergic neurons of the suprachiasmatic nucleus was also shown. Administration of the blocker Bcl-2 has been revealed to decrease functional activity both of dopaminergic neurons (Zona Incerta) and of dopaminergic neurosecretory cells (arcuate nucleus), in which a decrease of the tyrosine hydroxylase content was observed. The p53 inactivation also led to a decrease of activity of dopaminergic neurosecretory cells of arcuate nucleus, whereas activity of the proteins Zone Incerta did not change. Thus, it has been shown that a change of the apoptotic protein content in vasopressinergic and dopaminergic neurons and neurosecretory cells leads to a change of their functional activity, the character and possibly mechanisms of effects of apoptotic proteins on activities of vasopressin- and dopaminergic cells being different.