Quantitative study of synaptic boutons on frog intracardiac neurons

The frog is a useful model to study the structure and function of intracardiac neurons. The goal of this study was to evaluate the size and distribution of synaptic boutons on the intracardiac neurons in the frog Rana temporaria. Interatrial septa from four animals were double-labelled immunohistochemically for the cholinergic marker choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) and the marker of synaptic vesicles synaptophysin (SYP). One hundred intracardiac neurons were analysed by confocal microscopy. Terminals of preganglionic axons were strongly positive for ChAT, while synaptic boutons were strongly positive for both ChAT and SYP. The number of synaptic boutons per neuron ranged from 2 to 121 and was 10±2 (mean±SE). The total area of synaptic boutons ranged from 6 μm2 to 270 μm2 and was 98±6 μm2. The largest total area of synaptic boutons was found on the axonal half of neuronal soma (59±4 μm2). The total areas of synaptic boutons on both the non-axonal half of soma and the proximal axon were smaller (36±3 μm2; 6±2 μm2; P<0.001). Synaptic boutons occupied 13±1% of the area of the neuronal soma profile. Conclusions: 1) The axonal half of the soma of the frog intracardiac neuron is more densely innervated than the non-axonal half of the soma. 2) The axosomatic and axoaxonic synapses are present on frog intracardiac neurons. The study provides a framework for further experimental studies on the formation and rearrangement of synapses on frog intracardiac neurons.

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Review for "“Seat of the soul”? The structure and function of the pineal gland in women with alleged spirit possession—Results of two experimental studies"

10.1002/brb3.1693/v2/review1 ◽

2020 ◽

Keyword(s):

Pineal Gland ◽

Spirit Possession ◽

Experimental Studies ◽

Structure And Function ◽

And Function

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The use of confocal microscopy in the investigation of cell structure and function in the heart, vascular endothelium and smooth muscle cells

Novel Methods in Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry of Muscle ◽

10.1007/978-1-4615-6353-2_18 ◽

1997 ◽

pp. 171-194 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Ghassan Bkaily ◽

Pierre Pothier ◽

Pedro D’Orléans-Juste ◽

May Simaan ◽

Danielle Jacques ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Smooth Muscle ◽

Confocal Microscopy ◽

Smooth Muscle Cells ◽

Vascular Endothelium ◽

Cell Structure ◽

Muscle Cells ◽

Structure And Function ◽

And Function

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Ganglionic and non-ganglionic neurons in frog heart: do they differ?

Papers on Anthropology ◽

10.12697/poa.2017.26.2.01 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 26 (2) ◽

pp. 9

Author(s):

Darius Batulevičius ◽

Gertrūda Skripkienė ◽

Greta Graužinytė ◽

Augustina Grigaitė ◽

Valdas Skripka

Keyword(s):

Rana Temporaria ◽

Lucifer Yellow ◽

Frog Heart ◽

Total Length ◽

Fluorescent Markers ◽

Lucifer Yellow Ch ◽

Frog Rana Temporaria ◽

The Mean ◽

Morphological Differences ◽

Intracardiac Neurons

This study was designed to compare the morphology of neurons in relation to their distance from the major nerve trunks in the heart of the frog Rana temporaria. Seventy-nine intracardiac neurons were labelled intracellularly with fluorescent markers Lucifer Yellow CH and Alexa Fluor 568. The neurons located on the extensions of the vagus nerve were considered as ganglionic, while neurons spread loosely at further distance from these extensions were considered as non-ganglionic. The mean area of the soma in ganglionic neurons was about 25% larger than in non-ganglionic neurons. Ganglionic neurons had a higher soma area/nucleus area ratio than non-ganglionic neurons. Although both the total number and the total length of dendrite-like processes was similar between the two groups, ganglionic neurons had significantly fewer dendrite-like processes from the soma (1.5±0.3 vs. 3.9±1.0; P<0.05) and shorter total length of these processes from the soma (63±18 μm vs. 178±51 μm; P<0.05). In conclusion, ganglionic and non-ganglionic frog intracardiac neurons exhibit substantial morphological differences. We hypothesize that these differences may indicate different projections or variations in the number of their preganglionic inputs.

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Understanding the impacts of self-shuffling approach on structure and function of shuffled endoglucanase enzyme via MD simulations

Turkish Journal of Biochemistry ◽

10.1515/tjb-2018-0180 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 45 (2) ◽

Author(s):

Aslı Yenenler ◽

Umut Gerlevik ◽

Ugur Sezerman

Keyword(s):

Experimental Studies ◽

Salt Bridge ◽

Md Simulations ◽

Structure And Function ◽

Computational Approach ◽

Intramolecular Interactions ◽

Structural Basis ◽

Functional Differences ◽

Structural Differences ◽

And Function

AbstractObjectiveWe identify the impacts of structural differences on functionality of EG3_S2 endoglucanase enzyme with MD studies. The results of previous experimental studies have been explained in details with computational approach. The objective of this study is to explain the functional differences between shuffled enzyme (EG3_S2) and its native counterpart (EG3_nat) from Trichoderma reseei, via Molecular Dynamics approach.Materials and methodsFor this purpose, we performed MD simulations along 30 ns at three different reaction temperatures collected as NpT ensemble, and then monitored the backbone motion, flexibilities of residues, and intramolecular interactions of EG3_S2 and EG3_nat enzymes.ResultsAccording to MD results, we conclude that EG3_S2 and EG3_nat enzymes have unique RMSD patterns, e.g. RMSD pattern of EG3_S2 is more dynamic than that of EG3_nat at all temperatures. In addition to this dynamicity, EG3_S2 establishes more salt bridge interactions than EG3_nat.ConclusionBy taking these results into an account with the preservation of catalytic Glu residues in a proper manner, we explain the structural basis of differences between shuffled and native enzyme via molecular dynamic studies.

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Complex Analyses of Plankton Structure and Function

The Scientific World JOURNAL ◽

10.1100/tsw.2001.19 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 1 ◽

pp. 119-132 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Karl E. Havens

Keyword(s):

Size Structure ◽

Experimental Studies ◽

Structure And Function ◽

Size Spectrum ◽

Phytoplankton Productivity ◽

Resource Managers ◽

Carbon Transfer ◽

And Function ◽

Freshwater Plankton ◽

Plankton Communities

This paper critically evaluates some complex methods that have been used to characterize the structure and function of freshwater plankton communities. The focus is on methods related to plankton size structure and carbon transfer. The specific methods reviewed are 1) size spectrum analysis, 2) size-fractionated phytoplankton productivity, 3) size-fractionated zooplankton grazing, 4) plankton ecological transfer efficiency, and 5) grazer effects on phytoplankton community structure. Taken together, these methods can provide information on community ecological properties that are directly related to practical issues including water quality and fisheries productivity. However, caution is warranted since application without a complete understanding of assumptions and context of the manipulations could lead to erroneous conclusions. As an example, experimental studies involving the addition or removal of zooplankton, especially when coupled with nutrient addition treatments, could provide information on the degree of consumer vs. resource control of phytoplankton. Resource managers subsequently could use this information in developing effective measures for controlling nuisance algal biomass. However, the experiments must be done critically and with sufficient safeguards and other measurements to ensure that treatments (e.g., zooplankton exclosure by screening of water) actually are successful and do not introduce other changes in the community (e.g., removal of large algae). In all of the methods described here, the investigator must take care when generalizing results and, in particular, carry out a sufficient number of replications to encompass both the major seasonal and spatial variation that occurs in the ecosystem.

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