DEVELOPMENT OF THE NEUROMUSCULAR JUNCTION : II. Cytological and Cytochemical Studies on the Neuromuscular Junction of Dedifferentiating Muscle in the Regenerating Limb of the Newt Triturus

Following amputation of the limb of the newt, Triturus viridescens, muscle fibers dedifferentiate giving rise to mesenchymal cells. The earliest changes detected in neuromuscular junctions of dedifferentiating muscle fibers are the appearance of a few vacuoles and decrease in density of the terminal axoplasm. Later, synaptic vesicles become tightly clustered in the axon termination, and their content appears denser than normal. Then, vesicles diminish in number until few are seen in the ending. While these changes are occurring, the area of contact of nerve with muscle becomes smaller. Junctional folds persist only where the nerve maintains contact with muscle, but these are shorter than normal and appear as slight ridges on the muscle surface. Subsequently, the nerve withdraws from the muscle cell and is completely invested by Schwann cell cytoplasm, and all traces of junctional folds are lost at the former region of contact. Cholinesterase activity was localized with the thiolacetic acid-lead nitrate method. Even before marked morphological changes occur in the junction, DFP- and physostigmine-sensitive activity in the cleft between nerve and muscle is decreased in intensity. Activity continues to decrease as the area of nerve-muscle contact diminishes and junctional folds disappear. When the nerve has withdrawn from the muscle surface, only a few small deposits of lead are left in the intervening region. These results show that as muscle becomes less specialized during dedifferentiation, the neuromuscular junction also loses the cytological and cytochemical specializations associated with synaptic function.     

Activity alters muscle reinnervation and terminal sprouting by reducing the number of Schwann cell pathways that grow to link synaptic sites

In partially denervated rodent muscle, terminal Schwann cells (TSCs) located at denervated end plates grow processes, some of which contact neighboring innervated end plates. Those processes that contact neighboring synapses (termed "bridges") appear to initiate nerve terminal sprouting and to guide the growth of the sprouts so that they reach and reinnervate denervated end plates. Studies conducted prior to knowledge of this potential involvement of Schwann cells showed that direct muscle stimulation inhibits terminal sprouting following partial denervation (Brown and Holland, 1979). We have investigated the possibility this inhibition results from an alteration in the growth of TSC processes. We find that stimulation of partially denervated rat soleus muscle does not alter the length or number of TSC processes but does reduce the number of TSC bridges. Stimulation also reduces the number of TSC bridges that form between end plates during reinnervation of a completely denervated muscle. The nerve processes ("escaped fibers") that normally grow onto TSC processes during reinnervation are also reduced in length. Therefore, stimulation alters at least two responses to denervation in muscles: (1) the ability of TSC processes to form or maintain bridges with innervated synaptic sites, and (2) the growth of axons along processes extended by TSCs.     

Acetylcholinesterase activity in nerve endings of tails of Rana japonica and R. catesbeiana during metamorphosis

Summary In anuran tadpole tails, the myelinated motor nerve fibers branch in the myoseptum to innervate both red and white muscle fibers at, or near, their ends. There are no significant ultrastructural differences between the nerve endings of the two types of muscle fibers.Intense acetylcholinesterase reaction product was observed in synaptic clefts and junctional folds, as well as in transverse tubules. As metamorphosis proceeded, the junctional folds of the nerve endings disappeared, however, acetylcholinesterase reaction product was still observed in the synaptic clefts. As muscle fibers began to degenerate, nerve endings began to separate from them. However, after nerve endings were completely separated from the surfaces, degenerated muscle fibers, synaptic and cored vesicles were still well preserved although no acetylcholinesterase reaction product was found. It seems clear that the mechanism of the muscle degeneration in the tadpole tail during metamorphosis is not the result of the degeneration of its nerve endings.     

CHOLINESTERASE IN DENERVATED END PLATES AND MUSCLE FIBRES

Parallel studies were made of cholinesterase activities and localizations in denervated rat and rabbit gastrocnemius muscle. Koelle's histochemical reaction was used for demonstrating the localization of cholinesterases. Enzyme activities in whole sliced muscle were measured by electrometric titration. The Cartesian ampulla-diver technique was used for cholinesterase activity determinations in end plate regions or in small pieces of the muscle fibre itself. No changes in the activity of cholinesterases (ChE) were found in the whole denervated muscle which would account for its chemical supersensitivity. The ChE distribution pattern was changed so that the end plate region became less active in the denervated muscle than in the normal one. The decrease in ChE activity in the end plates seems to be largely compensated for by an increase of this enzyme elsewhere in the muscle. A possible connection between the spatial spread of cholinesterase activity and the enlargement of the acetylcholine-sensitive surface is discussed.     

The regeneration of neuromuscular junctions during spontaneous re-innervation of the rat diaphragm

Summary Electron microscopic observations have been made on the regeneration of neuromuscular junctions during spontaneous re-innervation of the rat diaphragm, following unilateral transsection of the phrenic nerve. 3 and 4 weeks after denervation motor end plates displayed the pattern of almost complete degeneration, i.e. persisting subneural foldings, deprived of neural contact and covered with collagen fibrils and fibrocytes. From observations at 5, 10 and 24 weeks after denervation the following sequence of events could be established: a few small axon terminals, accompanied by Schwann cells, became apposed to subneural folds, while most foldings were covered initially by Schwann cells or still by collagen fibrils. Gradually an increasing number of subneural folds came into contact with axon terminals. At 24 weeks all junctions displayed the pattern of a mature motor end plate. In the majority of regenerating neuromuscular junctions single dense-cored vesicles of approximately 900–1200 Å were present in axon terminals.It is concluded that under the present conditions restoration of neuromuscular transmission is accomplished by a re-innervation of the preserved subneural apparatuses of former junctions by regenerating axons. The significance of the occurrence of dense-cored vesicles in regenerating motor end plates is discussed.This work was supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft and the Stiftung Volkswagenwerk.     

The three-dimensional structure of motor endplates in different fiber types of rat intercostal muscle

Summary The three-dimensional organization of the motor end plates in the red, white and intermediate striated muscle fibers of the rat intercostal muscle was observed under a field-emission type scanning electron microscope after removal of connective tissue components by HCl hydrolysis.The motor endplate of the white fiber had terminal branches (or axon terminals), which were large, long and thin, and small but numerous nerve swellings (or terminal boutons). The motor endplate of the red fiber had terminal branches, which were small, short and thick, and had large but fewer nerve swellings. The motor endplate of the intermediate fiber was intermediate in size and structure between these two. In detached nerve-ending preparations, primary synaptic grooves with slit-like openings of the junctional folds appeared on the surface of the muscle fibers. The primary synaptic grooves were more developed in the white fiber than in the red fiber, and they were intermediate in the intermediate fiber. The numerical ratio of slit-like openings was 11.83.5 in the red, intermediate and white fiber, respectively.The Schwann cells and their processes were observed on the surface of the motor endplate, with the processes covering the upper orifices of the primary synaptic grooves and sealing the terminal branches. The number of Schwann cells was usually three in the white fiber, two in the intermediate fiber and one in the red fiber.     

DEVELOPMENT OF THE NEUROMUSCULAR JUNCTION : I. Cytological and Cytochemical Studies on the Neuromuscular Junction of Differentiating Muscle in the Regenerating Limb of the Newt Triturus

Development of the neuromuscular junction on differentiating muscle was investigated in the regenerating limb of the newt Triturus. Motor end-plate formation begins when vesicle-filled axon terminations approach differentiating muscle cells that have reached the stage of a multinucleate cell containing myofibrils. Slight ridges or elevations occur on the muscle surface, and there is an increase in density of the cytoplasm immediately beneath the plasma membrane of the elevation. The axon becomes more closely approximated to the muscle cell and comes to lie in a shallow depression or gutter on the surface of the muscle. The surface ridges increase in length and constrict at their bases to form junctional folds. In the axon terminal, focal accumulations of vesicles are found where the axon contour projects slightly opposite the secondary synaptic clefts. Cholinesterase activity in the developing junctions was demonstrated by the thiolacetic acid-lead nitrate method. Enzymatic activity is not found on intercellular nerve fibers or the muscle surface prior to close approximation of axon endings and muscle. Eserine- and DFP-sensitive activity appears concurrently with morphological differentiation. Activity occurs in membranous tubulovesicles in the sarcoplasm subjacent to the neuromuscular junction and in association with the sarcolemma. The largest reaction deposits occur at the tips of the emerging junctional folds. Smaller and less numerous localizations occur on the axon membrane and within the axoplasm. It is concluded from these studies that the nerve endings have an inductive effect on both the morphological and chemical specializations of the neuromuscular junction.     

Development of rat soleus endplate membrane following denervation at birth

Rat soleus endplates develop some of their characteristic features before birth and others after birth. Specializations appearing before birth include a localized cluster of acetylcholine receptors (AChRs), an accumulation of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in the synaptic basal lamina, and a cluster of nuclei near the endplate membrane. In contrast, postsynaptic membrane folds are elaborated during the first three weeks after birth. We denervated soleus muscles on postnatal day 1, before folds had appeared, and followed the subsequent development of endplate regions with light and electron microscopy. We found that the denervated endplates initiated fold formation on schedule and maintained their accumulations of AChRs, AChE, and endplate nuclei. However, the endplates stopped fold formation prematurely and eventually lost their rudimentary folds. At about the same time, the junctional AChR clusters were joined by ectopic patches of AChRs. The former endplate regions also became unusually elongated, possibly as a consequence of the lack of membrane folds. Apparently, endplate membranes have only a limited capacity for further development in the absence of both the nerve and muscle activity.     

Electron microscopic and histochemical observations on different types of nerve endings in the extraocular muscles of the rat

Summary Nerve endings in the extraocular muscles of the rat were submitted to histochemical tests for formalin-induced fluorescence and carboxylic esterases. Acetylthiocholine, butyrylthiocholine and -naphthyl acetate were used as substrates and iso-OMPA, 284C51, eserine and E-600 as inhibitors. The ultrastructure of the endings was studied with the electron microscope.Both single and multiple nerve terminals were observed in all six extraocular muscles. The single terminals of myelinated axons were comparable in their light and electron microscopic structure with the typical motor end plates of other striated muscles, and like these they exhibit acetylcholinesterase (AChE), non-specific cholinesterase (ns. ChE) and non-specific esterase (ns. E) activity. These endings were apposed to twitch-type muscle fibres.The multiple terminals were classified with the light microscope into two types. The larger type was 1/3 of the size of the motor end plate; 2–5 endings innervated the same muscle fibre; subneural infoldings were weakly developed and possessed only slight AChE and ns. ChE and probably no ns. E activity. No subneural lamellae were visible under the light microscope in the smaller type, which also possessed AChE and ns. ChE and was composed of 10–20 small dots dispersed along a single muscle fibre. The Schwann cells along nerve fibres leading to these two types of multiple endings exhibited ns. ChE but not AChE and ns. E activity.The ultrastructure of the two types of multiple endings was principally similar. The main difference, compared with the motor end plate, was that these endings were derived from unmyelinated axons which either make synaptic contacts along their course with the muscle fibre at variable distances (smaller-type) or these terminals were grouped closely together (larger-type).A few dense-core vesicles were observed in these unmyelinated nerves and in their terminals which were considerably smaller than those in the motor end plate. They were not always separated from each other by sarcoplasm and teloglia (larger-type) and contained also empty vesicles. The secondary synaptic clefts were often sparse and irregular or even absent, but the typical myoneural postsynaptic electron density was always observed. These multiple endings, in contrast to the motor end plate, were apposed only to muscle fibres with slow contraction.No catecholamine containing nerve endings were observed in the extraocular muscles. These observations indicate that the rat extraocular muscles have a double cholinergic innervation.The author wishes to express his gratitude to Professor Antti Telkkä, M. D., Head of the Electron Microscope Laboratory, University of Helsinki, for permission to avail himself of the electron microscope facilities.     

Metabolic stabilization of acetylcholine receptors in vertebrate neuromuscular junction by muscle activity

The effects of muscle activity on the growth of synaptic acetylcholine receptor (AChR) accumulations and on the metabolic AChR stability were investigated in rat skeletal muscle. Ectopic end plates induced surgically in adult soleus muscle were denervated early during development when junctional AChR number and stability were still low and, subsequently, muscles were either left inactive or they were kept active by chronic exogenous stimulation. AChR numbers per ectopic AChR cluster and AChR stabilities were estimated from the radioactivity and its decay with time, respectively, of end plate sites whose AChRs had been labeled with 125I-alpha-bungarotoxin (alpha-butx). The results show that the metabolic stability of the AChRs in ectopic clusters is reversibly increased by muscle activity even when innervation is eliminated very early in development. 1 d of stimulation is sufficient to stabilize the AChRs in ectopic AChR clusters. Muscle stimulation also produced an increase in the number of AChRs at early denervated end plates. Activity-induced cluster growth occurs mainly by an increase in area rather than in AChR density, and for at least 10 d after denervation is comparable to that in normally developing ectopic end plates. The possible involvement of AChR stabilization in end plate growth is discussed.     

Acetylcholine receptors in regenerating muscle accumulate at original synaptic sites in the absence of the nerve

We examined the role of nerve terminals in organizing acetylcholine receptors on regenerating skeletal-muscle fibers. When muscle fibers are damaged, they degenerate and are phagocytized, but their basal lamina sheaths survive. New myofibers form within the original basal lamina sheaths, and they become innervated precisely at the original synaptic sites on the sheaths. After denervating and damaging muscle, we allowed myofibers to regenerate but deliberately prevented reinnervation. The distribution of acetylcholine receptors on regenerating myofibers was determined by histological methods, using [125I] alpha-bungarotoxin or horseradish peroxidase-alpha-bungarotoxin; original synaptic sites on the basal lamina sheaths were marked by cholinesterase stain. By one month after damage to the muscle, the new myofibers have accumulations of acetylcholine receptors that are selectively localized to the original synaptic sites. The density of the receptors at these sites is the same as at normal neuromuscular junctions. Folds in the myofiber surface resembling junctional folds at normal neuromuscular junctions also occur at original synaptic sites in the absence of nerve terminals. Our results demonstrate that the biochemical and structural organization of the subsynaptic membrane in regenerating muscle is directed by structures that remain at synaptic sites after removal of the nerve.     

THE FINE STRUCTURAL LOCALIZATION OF ACETYLCHOLINESTERASE AT THE MYONEURAL JUNCTION

A study of the cytochemical localization of acetylcholiriesterase activity, combining histochemistry with electron microscopy, showed that the final product of the reaction, which was deposited at or near enzyme sites, occurred at four places in the myoneural junction. These included: plasma membrane of the muscle covering the junctional folds, the primary and secondary synaptic clefts, parts of the plasma membrane covering the axon terminal, and vesicular structures in the terminal axoplasm. No reaction occurred in the presence of 10^-4 eserine or DFP, whereas 10^-5 DFP inhibited the reaction at all sites except in the vesicles of the terminal axon. These findings are discussed with reference to the histochemical method used and to the occurrence of esterolytic activity in the vesicles, as well as to some of the current hypotheses concerning the relationship of the site of acetylcholinesterase and synaptic transmission.     

Effect of castration and testosterone administration on the neuromuscular junction in the levator ani muscle of the rat

Summary The ultrastructure of the neuromuscular junction (n.m.j.) of the androgen-sensitive levator ani muscle was studied in normal adult male rats, in 8-month-old rats castrated at the age of one month and in castrated rats treated with testosterone propionate (TP). Castration does not result in significant changes of the n.m.j. The density of synaptic vesicles and the postsynaptic junctional folds remain practically normal in spite of marked atrophy of the muscle. TP administration for 7 days results in marked changes in preand postsynaptic structures. There is slow progressive depletion of synaptic vesicles, appearance of cisternae and coated vesicles in axon terminals, and coalescence of coated vesicles with the plasma membrane. Coated vesicles are also found inside Schwann cells and among junctional folds. Dense core vesicles appear both in the axon terminals and in the postsynaptic area. Collateral sprouting of terminal axons with the formation of new immature junctions is observed. After 35 days of TP administration depletion of synaptic vesicles continues. Glycogen -particles, mostly freely dispersed, occasionally seen in axon terminals 7 days after TP administration, subsequently increase in number. In the endplate zone of the muscle fibre increased protein synthesis is indicated by a rapid increase in ribosomes and irregularly located myofilaments and myofibrils. The appearance of n.m.j. after testosterone administration resembles that described after nerve stimulation; the degree of change is however less pronounced.The authors wish to acknowledge the skillful technical assistance of Mrs. L. Vedralová     

Structure of muscle fibres and motor end plates in extraocular muscles of the grass snake, Natrix natrix L.

Six extraocular muscles of the grass snake, Natrix natrix L. together with their motor end plates were examined in the light and electron microscope, and the measurements of the diameter of muscle fibres and the area of their motor end plates were performed. Morphologically, two types of muscle fibres: tonic and red phase ones were distinguished. The former fibres, 2,3 to 14,5 mum in diameter possess single or multiple (up to five on a single fibre) "en grappe" motor end plates, without postsynaptic junctional folds. The latter fibres, 10...40 mum in diameter have single, "en plaque" motor end plates, with numerous postsynaptic junctional infoldings. The morphological features of muscle fibres and motor end plates as well as the correlation between the diameter of muscle fibres and the area of motor end plates are discussed.     

Ultrastructural features of neuromuscular junctions in the stapedius muscle of Gallus gallus

The ultrastructure of neuromuscular junctions in the twitch fibers of the stapedius muscle of Gallus gallus (domesticus) was investigated as part of a series of neurophysiological studies. Among the morphological features observed were elongated end-plates with numerous large and clear synaptic vesicles mixed with larger dense core vesicles and irregular or aperiodic “active sites” in the presynaptic membrane where synaptic vesicles were focused. The most remarkable features of these junctions were large synaptic clefts (50-80 nm) and the absence of junctional folds in the sarcolemmal surface. Unlike the large periodic junctional folds seen in the neuromuscular junctions of frogs and in the fast twitch fibers of the mammalian stapedius, the preparations studied only show small aperiodic invaginations (primitive folds) in the postsynaptic membranes. This morphological feature remains essentially constant from newly hatched to adult chickens. While these smooth junctions are consistent with earlier findings of inconspicuous junctional folds in the twitch fibers of the chicken posterior latissimus dorsi they are unlike those seen in the fast twitch fibers of the mammalian stapedius muscle, or other twitch fibers in general. The morphological findings of the present study may also suggest that the simple, unmodified neuromuscular junctions in the stapedius of Gallus may be a useful preparation for studies of synaptic membrane structures that employ the freeze-fracture technique.     

THE ULTRASTRUCTURE OF A REPTILIAN MYONEURAL JUNCTION

Myoneural junctions in Anolis are characterized by the formation of troughs in the surface of the muscle fibers in which small branches of the terminal axon lie. The muscle surface membrane lining the troughs is thrown into complex branching and anastomosing folds, which compose the subneural apparatus of Couteaux. A compound membrane 500 to 700 A thick separates axoplasm from sarcoplasm at the endings. This consists of five distinct layers and is described in detail. A thin layer of cytoplasm (probably Schwann) separates terminal axoplasm from extracellular space at the surfaces of the junctional troughs. Terminal axoplasm lacks axoplasmic filaments and contains numerous vesicular or tubular appearing structures about 300 to 500 A in diameter. Both terminal axoplasm and sarcoplasm contain numerous mitochondria.     

Recycling of acetylcholine receptors at ectopic postsynaptic clusters induced by exogenous agrin in living rats

During the development of the neuromuscular junction, motor axons induce the clustering of acetylcholine receptors (AChRs) and increase their metabolic stability in the muscle membrane. Here, we asked whether the synaptic organizer agrin might regulate the metabolic stability and density of AChRs by promoting the recycling of internalized AChRs, which would otherwise be destined for degradation, into synaptic sites. We show that at nerve-free AChR clusters induced by agrin in extrasynaptic membrane, internalized AChRs are driven back into the ectopic synaptic clusters where they intermingle with pre-existing and new receptors. The extent of AChR recycling depended on the strength of the agrin stimulus, but not on the development of junctional folds, another hallmark of mature postsynaptic membranes. In chronically denervated muscles, in which both AChR stability and recycling are significantly decreased by muscle inactivity, agrin maintained the amount of recycled AChRs at agrin-induced clusters at a level similar to that at denervated original endplates. In contrast, AChRs did not recycle at agrin-induced clusters in C2C12 or primary myotubes. Thus, in muscles in vivo, but not in cultured myotubes, neural agrin promotes the recycling of AChRs and thereby increases their metabolic stability.     

Neuromuscular activity impairs axonal sprouting in partially denervated muscles by inhibiting bridge formation of perisynaptic Schwann cells

Following partial denervation of rat hindlimb muscle, terminal Schwann cells extend processes from denervated endplates to induce and guide sprouting from the remaining intact axons. Increased neuromuscular activity significantly reduces motor unit enlargement and sprouting during the acute phase of sprouting. These findings led to the hypothesis that increased neuromuscular activity perturbs formation of Schwann cell bridges and thereby reduces sprouting. Adult rat tibialis anterior (TA) muscles were extensively denervated by avulsion of L4 spinal root and were immediately subjected to normal caged activity or running exercise (8 h daily) for 3, 7, 14, 21, and 28 days. Combined silver/cholinesterase histochemical staining revealed that the progressive reinnervation of denervated endplates by sprouts over a 1 month period in the extensively partially denervated TA muscles was completely abolished by increased neuromuscular activity. Immunohistochemical staining and triple immunofluorescence revealed that the increased neuromuscular activity did not perturb the production of Schwann cell processes, but prevented bridging between Schwann cell processes at innervated and denervated endplates. Our findings suggest that failure of Schwann cell processes to bridge between endplates accounts, at least in part, for the inhibitory effect of increased neuromuscular activity on sprouting.     

Distribution of N-CAM in synaptic and extrasynaptic portions of developing and adult skeletal muscle

Previous studies of denervated and cultured muscle have shown that the expression of the neural cell adhesion molecule (N-CAM) in muscle is regulated by the muscle's state of innervation and that N-CAM might mediate some developmentally important nerve-muscle interactions. As a first step in learning whether N-CAM might regulate or be regulated by nerve-muscle interactions during normal development, we have used light and electron microscopic immunohistochemical methods to study its distribution in embryonic, perinatal, and adult rat muscle. In embryonic muscle, N-CAM is uniformly present on the surface of myotubes and in intramuscular nerves; N-CAM is also present on myoblasts, both in vivo and in cultures of embryonic muscle. N-CAM is lost from the nerves as myelination proceeds, and from myotubes as they mature. The loss of N-CAM from extrasynaptic portions of the myotube is a complex process, comprising a rapid rearrangement as secondary myotubes form, a phase of decline late in embryogenesis, a transient reappearance perinatally, and a more gradual disappearance during the first two postnatal weeks. Throughout embryonic and perinatal life, N-CAM is present at similar levels in synaptic and extrasynaptic regions of the myotube surface. However, N-CAM becomes concentrated in synaptic regions postnatally: it is present in postsynaptic and perisynaptic areas of the muscle fiber, both on the surface and intracellularly (in T-tubules), but undetectable in portions of muscle fibers distant from synapses. In addition, N-CAM is present on the surfaces of motor nerve terminals and of Schwann cells that cap nerve terminals, but absent from myelinated portions of motor axons and from myelinating Schwann cells. Thus, in the adult, N-CAM is present in synaptic but not extrasynaptic portions of all three cell types that comprise the neuromuscular junction. The times and places at which N-CAM appears are consistent with its playing several distinct roles in myogenesis, synaptogenesis, and synaptic maintenance, including alignment of secondary along primary myotubes, early interactions of axons with myotubes, and adhesion of Schwann cells to nerve terminals.     

Development of the myoneural junction in the rat

Summary The structure of the myoneural junction in the striated muscle of rat embryos and postnatal rats was studied by electron microscopy in order to assess at ultrastructural level the roles of neuronal and muscular elements and the sequence of events resulting in the formation of a functionally mature synaptic organization.From the observations it is concluded that the axon terminals enveloped by Schwann cells contain vesicles prior to apposition of the prospective synaptic membranes. Subsequently, subsarcolemmal thickening of the postsynaptic membrane takes place after the synaptic gap has been formed by disappearance of the teloglial cell from between the synaptic membranes but before the primary synaptic cleft in the strict sense is formed. Secondary synaptic clefts are formed later, when the primary synaptic cleft is regular in width, by local finger-like invaginations of the postsynaptic membrane, which thereafter expand basally, in a plane transverse to the axis of the axon terminal, to resemble flattened flasks. The junction is formed between multinucleated muscle cells and multiple axons, which at first lie side by side and later, when formation of adult-type secondary synaptic clefts is in progress, become separated by folds of the sarcoplasm and the teloglia. In extraocular muscles of adult rats the sarcoplasmic reticulum is closely associated with the postjunctional sarcoplasm.In the light of earlier observations on the development of contractibility after nerve stimulation, cholinesterase histochemistry and muscle fibre physiology, these observations are interpreted to indicate that functional differentiation of the myoneural synapse results from induction by the motor axon and that the association of the sarcoplasmic reticulum with the postjunctional sarcoplasm in adult extraocular muscles is related to modified fibre physiology.The author wishes to thank Prof. Antti Telkkä, M.D., Head of the Electron Microscope Laboratory, University of Helsinki, for placing the electron microscopic facilities at his disposal.