scholarly journals CHOLINESTERASE ACTIVITY OF NODAL AND INTERNODAL REGIONS OF MYELINATED NERVE FIBERS OF FROG

1967 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 577-583 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miro Brzin ◽  
Wolf-D. Dettbarn

The distribution of cholinesterase (Ch-esterase) in isolated myelinated fibers of the frog has been investigated. Quantitative microgasometric measurements have confirmed the previous histochemical observations. Both approaches indicate that in frog nerve fibers acetylcholinesterase (ACh-esterase) is the only or the predominant enzyme when selective inhibitors and different substrates are used: acetylcholine (ACh), butyrylcholine, and acetyl-B-methylcholine (Mecholyl). By means of the microgasometric technique, a significant difference in ACh-esterase activity between axons isolated from ventral (37.2 ± 1.7 µmole x 10-5 ACh/mm2/hr) and dorsal roots (2.0 ± 0.9 µmole x 10-5 ACh/mm2/hr) was found. In the region of the node of Ranvier the enzyme activity (50.4 ± 4.4 µmole x 10-5 ACh/mm2/hr) appears to be considerably higher than in the internodal area (36.6 ± 2.1 µmole x 10-5 ACh/mm2/hr). The findings are discussed in relation to the theory of saltatory conduction and the ACh system.

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen G. Brohawn ◽  
Weiwei Wang ◽  
Jürgen R. Schwarz ◽  
Annie Handler ◽  
Ernest B. Campbell ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTTRAAK is a membrane tension-activated K+ channel that has been associated through behavioral studies to mechanical nociception. We used specific monoclonal antibodies in mice to show that TRAAK is localized exclusively to nodes of Ranvier, the action potential propagating elements of myelinated nerve fibers. Approximately 80 percent of myelinated nerve fibers throughout the central and peripheral nervous system contain TRAAK in an all-nodes or no-nodes per axon fashion. TRAAK is not observed at the axon initial segment where action potentials are first generated. We used polyclonal antibodies, the TRAAK inhibitor RU2 and node clamp amplifiers to demonstrate the presence and functional properties of TRAAK in rat nerve fibers. TRAAK contributes to the ‘leak’ K+ current in mammalian nerve fiber conduction by hyperpolarizing the resting membrane potential, thereby increasing Na+ channel availability for action potential propagation. Mechanical gating in TRAAK might serve a neuroprotective role by counteracting mechanically-induced ectopic action potentials. Alternatively, TRAAK may open in response to mechanical forces in the nodal membrane associated with depolarization during saltatory conduction and thereby contribute to repolarization of the node for subsequent spikes.


Author(s):  
Dandan Song ◽  
Yan Huang ◽  
Jeroen Van Dessel ◽  
Sohaib Shujaat ◽  
Kaan Orhan ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Autologous plasma fractions, such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and platelet-poor plasma (PPP), contain growth factors that can enhance neural cell survival and are therefore likely to have the ability to promote nerve regeneration. The present study compared the effect of PRP and PPP application on myelinated nerve density and diameter in the peri-implant bone region. In addition, the effect of healing time on nerve regeneration was assessed. Materials and methods Nine beagle dogs randomly received 54 dental implants in the bilateral mandible according to a split-mouth design. Each implant was randomly assigned to one of three implant protocols: delayed implant placement with delayed loading (DIP + DL) with local application of PRP, DIP + DL with local application of PPP and DIP + DL without any plasma additive. The animals were euthanized at 1, 3, and 6 months after loading (3 dogs per time point). Block biopsies were prepared for histomorphometry in the peri-implant bone within 500 μm around the implants. Results Myelinated nerve fibers were identified in the trabecular bone and in the osteons near the implants surface. The nerve fibers in the PRP group (median ± IQR; 2.88 ± 1.55 μm) had a significantly (p < 0.05) greater diameter compared to the PPP (2.40 ± 0.91 μm) and control (2.11 ± 1.16 μm) group. The nerve diameter after 6 months healing (3.18 ± 1.58 μm) was significantly (p < 0.05) greater compared to 1 (2.08 ± 0.89 μm) and 3 (2.49 ± 1.22 μm) months. No significant difference was found for myelinated nerve density between groups and healing time. Conclusions The present study showed that the healing time significantly influenced the diameter of the myelinated nerve fibers in peri-implant bone. PRP exerted a significant effect on the diameter of the myelinated nerve fibers as compared to PPP. Large-scale animal studies and longer follow-up periods are needed to confirm these findings and to verify whether platelet plasma can facilitate nerve regeneration process.


eLife ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen G Brohawn ◽  
Weiwei Wang ◽  
Annie Handler ◽  
Ernest B Campbell ◽  
Jürgen R Schwarz ◽  
...  

TRAAK is a membrane tension-activated K+ channel that has been associated through behavioral studies to mechanical nociception. We used specific monoclonal antibodies in mice to show that TRAAK is localized exclusively to nodes of Ranvier, the action potential propagating elements of myelinated nerve fibers. Approximately 80 percent of myelinated nerve fibers throughout the central and peripheral nervous system contain TRAAK in what is likely an all-nodes or no-nodes per axon fashion. TRAAK is not observed at the axon initial segment where action potentials are first generated. We used polyclonal antibodies, the TRAAK inhibitor RU2 and node clamp amplifiers to demonstrate the presence and functional properties of TRAAK in rat nerve fibers. TRAAK contributes to the ‘leak’ K+ current in mammalian nerve fiber conduction by hyperpolarizing the resting membrane potential, thereby increasing Na+ channel availability for action potential propagation. We speculate on why nodes of Ranvier contain a mechanosensitive K+ channel.


1966 ◽  
Vol 14 (5) ◽  
pp. 369-378 ◽  
Author(s):  
WILLIAM W. SCHLAEPFER ◽  
RICHARD M. TORACK

Ultrastructural localization of cholinesterase activity was demonstrated in rat sciatic nerve using thiocholine esters as substrate. This enzymatic activity was limited to axons, where it was located on limiting axonal membranes, and on axonal vesicles of all unmyelinated and some myelinated nerve fibers. No accentuation of activity was present at nodes of Ranvier. The use of acetyl, propionyl and butyrylthiocholine as substrate resulted in decreasing amounts of end product precipitate, respectively. The cholinesterase activity was sensitive to heat, resistant to N-ethyl maleimide, and inhibited byeserine, DFP, E600, RO2-1250 and BW 62C47. Studies of specific inhibition sensitivities and substrate preferences suggested that the axonal cholinesterase of rat sciatic nerve is a specific acetylcholinesterase which is relatively homogeneous.


1953 ◽  
Vol 98 (3) ◽  
pp. 269-276 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. De Robertis ◽  
C. M. Franchi

A technique has been developed for the extrusion of axon material from myelinated nerve fibers. This material is then compressed and prepared for observation with the electron microscope. All the stages of preparation and purification of the axon material can be checked microscopically and in the present paper they are illustrated with phase contrast photomicrographs. Observation with the electron microscope of the compressed axons showed the presence of the following components: granules, fibrils, and a membranous material. Only the larger granules could be seen with the ordinary microscope. A considerable number of dense granules were observed. Of these the largest resemble typical mitochondria of 250 mµ by 900 mµ. In addition rows or small clusters of dense granules ranging in diameter from 250 to 90 mµ were present. In several specimens fragments of a membrane 120 to 140 A thick and intimately connected with the axon were found. The entire axon appeared to be constituted of a large bundle of parallel tightly packed fibrils among which the granules are interspersed. The fibrils are of indefinite length and generally smooth. They are rather labile structures, less resistant in the rat than in the toad nerve. They varied between 100 and 400 A in diameter and in some cases disintegrated into very fine filaments (less than 100 A thick). The significance is discussed of the submicroscopic structures revealed by electron microscopy of the material prepared in the way described.


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