| Abstract: | A new technique for studying the physiology and pharmacology of locust central neurones is described. Somata isolated from neurones in the meso and metathoracic ganglia of third instar locusts (Schistocerca gregaria) were maintained for up to 4 weeks in co-culture (monolayer) with embryonic locust neurones. Most of the cultured cells became multipolar but a few were monopolar like their in vivo counterparts. They had diameters of 40-80 microns and "clean" (glial free) surface membranes. Cells 6-14 days in vitro were depolarized by acetylcholine and usually hyperpolarized by gamma-aminobutyrate, taurine and glycine. L-Glutamate and L-aspartate were inactive but further pharmacological studies are required to confirm this. Cultured larval neurones should provide excellent opportunities to study the molecular basis for drug-receptor interactions and voltage-sensitive membrane channels using the patch clamp technique. |
