Fine structure of synaptic contacts in the first order giant fibre system of the squid

Role of prey-capture experience in the development of the escape response in the squid Loligo opalescens: a physiological correlate in an identified neuron

Although extensively used for biophysical studies, the squid giant axon system remains largely unexplored in regard to in vivo function and modulation in any biologically relevant context. Here we show that successful establishment of the recruitment pattern for the giant axon in the escape response elicited by a brief electrical stimulus depends on prey-capture experience early in life. Juvenile squid fed only slow-moving, easy-to-capture prey items (Artemia salina) develop deficits in coordinating activity in the giant axon system with that of a parallel set of non-giant motor axons during escape responses. These deficits are absent in cohorts fed fast-moving, challenging prey items (copepods). These results suggest that the acquisition of inhibitory control over the giant axon system is experience-dependent and that both prey-capture and escape behavior depend on this control.

The form and dimensions of the giant synapse of squids

A study was made of the distal giant synapse, and of proximal synapses, in the stellate ganglion of the squid, Loligo vulgaris . For this purpose we injected iontophoretically dyes or cobalt ions into the pre- or postsynaptic axon. The intra-axonal movement of visible dyes was measured. Both presynaptic fibres, the main second order giant axon and the largest accessory axon, branched to make multiple synaptic contacts on the giant motor axons from near the perikarya down to near the exit of the stellar nerves from the ganglion. There were considerable individual variations in the branching patterns of the presynaptic giant axon and in the course and number of the postsynaptic giant axons. More than one accessory axon made contact with the largest motor axon. Fine structural details of the synapse are presented. The size of the contact area made by the main presynaptic axon on the last postsynaptic axon of a medium-sized animal was estimated from low power electron micrographs. We measured and counted synaptic contacts, synaptic vesicles and mitochondria. The fine structure of proximal synapses was found to be very similar to that of the distal synapse. Cobalt- or dye-injected ganglia showed that the perikarya of the axons which fuse to form the postsynaptic giant axons are located in diffuse and overlapping areas of the giant fibre lobe. In freshly hatched larvae the giant synapse was well differentiated; a gradient of differentiation from brain to periphery was detectable. The distal giant synapses of the oegopsid squid Todarodes sagittatus and of Sepia officinalis differed from the Loligo synapse. In Todarodes and Sepia collaterals and processes from both the presynaptic and the postsynaptic giant fibres are shown to meet in numerous contacts in the enlarged sheath surrounding the third order axon. In several respects the Loligo giant fibre system appears to represent in phylogenetical order the more evolved neuronal network.

Anatomy and innervation of the anterior aorta of Aplysia and the ultrastructure of specialized neuromuscular junctions on vascular smooth muscle

The fine structure of the cellular layers and innervation of smooth muscle in the anterior aorta of Aplysia were examined. The inner layer of circular muscle is not innervated but its fibers may be electrically coupled. In contrast, longitudinal fibers in the outer layer are well separated and richly innervated by highly specialized neuromuscular junctions (NMJ). Three distinct types of NMJ are present on this smooth muscle, each identifiable by a set of quantitatively described morphological features including size, degree of contact with sarcolemma, density of active zones, number of mitochondria and vesicular content. The three types of NMJ are likely to arise from the identified serotonergic (RDAAE), cholinergic (RDAAI), and glycinergic (R14) neurons that provide the major known excitatory, inhibitory, and modulatory inputs to this vessel. Each longitudinal muscle fiber is separately innervated by one or more NMJ of each type. Since there are no intercellular junctions between longitudinal fibers, coordination of contractility is clearly a function of the pattern of neural activity. This report further characterizes the rapid and fine control of the vasculature in Aplysia and demonstrates the utility of this preparation for cellular-level studies on the neural control of smooth muscle and neurochemical messengers mediating its activity.