Morphological studies of synapses and varicosities in dissociated cell cultures of sympathetic neurons

Alignment of synaptic vesicle macromolecules with the macromolecules in active zone material that direct vesicle docking

Synaptic vesicles dock at active zones on the presynaptic plasma membrane of a neuron’s axon terminals as a precondition for fusing with the membrane and releasing their neurotransmitter to mediate synaptic impulse transmission. Typically, docked vesicles are next to aggregates of plasma membrane-bound macromolecules called active zone material (AZM). Electron tomography on tissue sections from fixed and stained axon terminals of active and resting frog neuromuscular junctions has led to the conclusion that undocked vesicles are directed to and held at the docking sites by the successive formation of stable connections between vesicle membrane proteins and proteins in different classes of AZM macromolecules. Using the same nanometer scale 3D imaging technology on appropriately stained frog neuromuscular junctions, we found that ∼10% of a vesicle’s luminal volume is occupied by a radial assembly of elongate macromolecules attached by narrow projections, nubs, to the vesicle membrane at ∼25 sites. The assembly’s chiral, bilateral shape is nearly the same vesicle to vesicle, and nubs, at their sites of connection to the vesicle membrane, are linked to macromolecules that span the membrane. For docked vesicles, the orientation of the assembly’s shape relative to the AZM and the presynaptic membrane is the same vesicle to vesicle, whereas for undocked vesicles it is not. The connection sites of most nubs on the membrane of docked vesicles are paired with the connection sites of the different classes of AZM macromolecules that regulate docking, and the membrane spanning macromolecules linked to these nubs are also attached to the AZM macromolecules. We conclude that the luminal assembly of macromolecules anchors in a particular arrangement vesicle membrane macromolecules, which contain the proteins that connect the vesicles to AZM macromolecules during docking. Undocked vesicles must move in a way that aligns this arrangement with the AZM macromolecules for docking to proceed.

The TRPM7 ion channel functions in cholinergic synaptic vesicles and affects transmitter release

A longstanding hypothesis is that ion channels are present in the membranes of synaptic vesicles and might affect neurotransmitter release. Here we demonstrate that TRPM7, a member of the transient receptor potential (TRP) ion channel family, resides in the membrane of synaptic vesicles of sympathetic neurons, forms molecular complexes with the synaptic vesicle proteins synapsin I and synaptotagmin I, and directly interacts with synaptic vesicular snapin. In sympathetic neurons, changes in TRPM7 levels and channel activity alter acetylcholine release, as measured by EPSP amplitudes and decay times in postsynaptic neurons. TRPM7 affects EPSP quantal size, an intrinsic property of synaptic vesicle release. Targeted peptide interference of TRPM7's interaction with snapin affects the amplitudes and kinetics of postsynaptic EPSPs. Thus, vesicular TRPM7 channel activity is critical to neurotransmitter release in sympathetic neurons.

The Niemann-Pick C1 protein in recycling endosomes of presynaptic nerve terminals

Niemann-Pick type C (NPC) disease is a fatal, neurodegenerative disorder caused in 95% of cases by loss of function of NPC1, a ubiquitous endosomal transmembrane protein. A biochemical hallmark of NPC deficiency is cholesterol accumulation in the endocytic pathway. Although cholesterol trafficking defects are observed in all cell types, neurons are the most vulnerable to NPC1 deficiency, suggesting a specialized function for NPC1 in neurons. We investigated the subcellular localization of NPC1 in neurons to gain insight into the mechanism of action of NPC1 in neuronal metabolism. We show that NPC1 is abundant in axons of sympathetic neurons and is present in recycling endosomes in presynaptic nerve terminals. NPC1 deficiency causes morphological and biochemical changes in the presynaptic nerve terminal. Synaptic vesicles from Npc1(-/-) mice have normal cholesterol content but altered protein composition. We propose that NPC1 plays a previously unrecognized role in the presynaptic nerve terminal and that NPC1 deficiency at this site might contribute to the progressive neurological impairment in NPC disease.

Expression and localization of agrin during sympathetic synapse formation in vitro

Agrin is a motoneuron-derived signaling factor that plays a key organizing role in the initial stages of neuromuscular synapse formation. Agrin is expressed in other regions of the developing central and peripheral nervous systems, however, raising the possibility that it also directs the formation of some interneuronal synapses. To address this question, we have examined the expression and localization of agrin during formation of cholinergic, interneuronal synapses in the sympathetic system. In the superior cervical ganglia (SCG) in vivo, we found that agrin is highly expressed, and that it is present at, but is not limited to, synapses. In SCG neuronal cultures that were treated with ciliary neurotrophic factor to induce a uniform cholinergic phenotype, we found that agrin immunostaining colocalized precisely with cholinergic terminals and aggregates of neuronal acetylcholine receptor on the neuronal cell bodies and dendrites. Moreover, we found that alpha-dystroglycan, which is a potential receptor for agrin, is also concentrated at these cholinergic synaptic contacts. Finally, the SCG neurons expressed the C-terminal isoform of agrin that is neural-specific and highly active in synaptogenesis, and also the N-terminal splice isoform that occurs as a type II transmembrane protein. These findings show that agrin is specifically localized at sympathetic synapses in vitro, and are consistent with it playing a role in interneuronal synapse formation.

Modeling axonal injury in vitro: injury and regeneration following acute neuritic trauma

Traumatic injury to axons was modeled in vitro using sympathetic principal neurons from the rat superior cervical ganglion. Neurons were grown as a pure culture on collagen in parallel tracks, with cell somata confined to the center, and neurites occupying the periphery of the culture dish. Growing as fascicles on tracks, the neurites demonstrated periodic varicosities. Neuritic transection was reliably and reproducibly achieved with a motor driven rubber impactor injury device. During a period lasting at least 1 h, dieback involving the proximal neurites averaged 105 +/- 10 microm. This was followed by neurite regeneration, with the injured segment being traversed within 36 h at an average rate of regeneration of 595 +/- 15 microm/day. The distal neurite segments showed degenerative changes within 1 h following transection, with initial receding of neurites progressing to vacuolation, beading, blebbing, and eventual detachment from the underlying matrix. This in vitro model of axonal injury allows neuritic injury to be studied at the cellular and molecular levels, and also provides a unique opportunity to test potential neuromodulatory and neuroprotective strategies.

Nerve growth factor modulates synaptic transmission between sympathetic neurons and cardiac myocytes

Regulation of heart rate by the sympathetic nervous system involves the release of norepinephrine (NE) from nerve terminals onto heart tissue, resulting in an elevation in beat rate. Nerve growth factor (NGF) is a neurotrophin produced by the heart that supports the survival and differentiation of sympathetic neurons. Here we report that NGF also functions as a modulator of sympathetic synaptic transmission. We determined the effect of NGF on the strength of synaptic transmission in co-cultures of neonatal rat cardiac myocytes and sympathetic neurons from the superior cervical ganglion (SCG). Synaptic transmission was assayed functionally, as an increase in the beat rate of a cardiac myocyte during stimulation of a connected neuron. Application of NGF produced a pronounced, reversible enhancement of synaptic strength. We found that TrkA, the receptor tyrosine kinase that mediates many NGF responses, is expressed primarily by neurons in these cultures, suggesting a presynaptic mechanism for the effects of NGF. A presynaptic model is further supported by the finding that NGF did not alter the response of myocytes to application of NE. In addition to the acute modulatory effects of NGF, we found that the concentration of NGF in the growth medium affects the level of synaptic transmission in cultures of sympathetic neurons and cardiac myocytes. These results indicate that in addition to its role as a survival factor, NGF plays both acute and long-term roles in the regulation of developing sympathetic synapses in the cardiac system.

Morphology of neurites from N18TG2 cell induced by protein kinase inhibitor H-7 and by cAMP

Protein kinase inhibitor H-7 and dibutyryl (dB)-cAMP were found to induce neuritic processes in mouse neuroblastoma N18TG2 cells (36). In the present study, morphological differences between the neurites induced by H-7 and those by dB-cAMP were examined using electron microscopy (TEM and SEM) and tubulin immunohistochemistry. It was observed that: 1) The neurites induced by H-7 were relatively thin and frequently had varicosities. On the other hand, the neurites induced by dB-cAMP were thick but they had few varicosities. 2) Centrioles were frequently observed in the cells treated with dB-cAMP but were not encountered in the H-7-treated cells. 3) TEM and tubulin immunohistochemistry revealed that the main shafts of the neurites induced either by H-7 or dB-cAMP were filled with microtubules, but that the varicosities induced by H-7 contained a smaller amount of microtubules. 4) The stability to colchicine was greater in the neurites induced by H-7 than in those by dB-cAMP. From these features of the neurites, it was inferred that neurite outgrowth induced by dB-cAMP is deeply related to the formation of microtubules and that the neurites induced by H-7 were involved in other processes probably including an adhesive property of cell surfaces.

Irregular geometries in normal unmyelinated axons: a 3D serial EM analysis

Axons have generally been represented as straight cylinders. It is not at all uncommon for anatomists to take single cross-sections of an axonal bundle, and from the axonal diameter compute expected conduction velocities. This assumes that each cross-section represents a slice through a perfect cylinder. We have examined the three-dimensional geometry of 98 central and peripheral unmyelinated axons, using computer-assisted serial electron microscopy. These reconstructions reveal that virtually all unmyelinated axons have highly irregular axial shapes consisting of periodic varicosities. The varicosities were, without exception, filled with membranous organelles frequently including mitochondria, and have obligatory volumes similar to that described in other neurites. The mitochondria make contact with microtubules, while the other membraneous organelles were frequently found free floating in the cytoplasm. We conclude that unmyelinated axons are fundamentally varicose structures created by the presence of organelles, and that an axon's calibre is dynamic in both space and time. These irregular axonal geometries raise serious doubts about standard two dimensional morphometric analysis and suggest that electrical properties may be more heterogeneous than expected from single section data. These results also suggest that the total number of microtubules contained in an axon, rather than its single section diameter, may prove to be a more accurate predictor of properties such as conduction velocity. Finally, these results offer an explanation for a number of pathological changes that have been described in unmyelinated axons.

Targeting of secretory vesicles to cytoplasmic domains in AtT-20 and PC-12 cells

Organelles are not uniformly distributed throughout the cytoplasm but have preferred locations that vary between tissues and during development. To investigate organelle targeting to cytoplasmic domains we have taken advantage of the mouse pituitary cell line, AtT-20, which, when induced to extend long processes, accumulates dense core secretory granules at the tips of the processes. During mitosis, these secretory granules accumulate along the plane of division. Protein synthesis is not mandatory for such redistribution of secretory granules. To explore the specificity of the redistribution we have used transfected AtT-20 cells that express the immunoglobulin kappa light chain. While the endogenous hormone ACTH is found in secretory granules, the kappa chain is a marker for organelles involved in constitutive secretion. By immunofluorescence, kappa also accumulates at the tips of growing processes, and along the midline of dividing cells, suggesting that the redistribution of vesicles is not specific for dense-core secretory granules. Since there is evidence for selective organelle transport along processes in neuronal cells, the rat pheochromocytoma cell PC-12 was transfected with DNA encoding markers for regulated and constitutive secretory vesicles. Again regulated and constitutive vesicles co-distribute, even in cells grown in the presence of nerve growth factor. We suggest that at least in the cells studied here, cytoskeletal elements normally carry exocytotic organelles to the surface; when the cytoskeletal elements coalesce in an extending process, exocytotic organelles of both the constitutive and regulated pathway are transported nonselectively to the tips of the cytoskeletal elements where they accumulate.

"Cholinergic" postsynaptic membranes of bullfrog sympathetic ganglia: electron microscopy of thin sections and freeze-fracture replicas

"Cholinergic" synapses of the bullfrog sympathetic ganglion cells were investigated with thin sectioning, complementary freeze-fracturing, and deep-etching methods after glutaraldehyde fixation. The protoplasmic (-fracture) face (PF) of the postsynaptic membrane was characterized by intramembranous particles (IMPs), 3,500/micron 2 in density, consisting of larger particles, 10-12 nm in diameter, and smaller ones, 8-9 nm; the complementary exoplasmic (-fracture) face (EF) contained larger and smaller IMPs, 750/micron 2 in density, and numbers of pits. By close inspection of the sections and freeze-fracture replicas at high magnification and with deep-etching in particular, it was concluded that aggregated IMPs might represent transmembranous components and that the particulate entities existing in the postsynaptic active zones might be larger in number than those exposed to view and counted here in the "cholinergic" synapses. An individual IMP often appeared to consist of five or six subunits arranged in a rosette with a central pit. These findings suggest that the aggregated IMPs, particularly the larger ones, may be closely related to the structure of the nicotinic ACh receptor-ion channel complex.

Ultrastructural features of a human neuroblastoma cell line treated with retinoic acid

This report examines the morphological changes that occur in a line of human neuroblastoma cells (LA-N-5) following treatment with retinoic acid, in vitro. The results demonstrate that retinoic acid induces pronounced differentiation of these cells. Perikarya aggregate into tight clusters and extend long processes that are frequently fasciculated. Growth cones appear at the ends of these processes. Transmission electron microscopy reveals that after 10 days of treatment these long neurites give rise to varicosities which contain clusters of large dense-core vesicles and smaller clear vesicles. After 18 days of treatment the cultures cease to differentiate further. The pattern of neurite outgrowth is very complex by this point and the frequency of growth cones and vesicle-containing varicosities is greatly increased compared with shorter treatments. Most of these varicosities contain a mix of large dense-core vesicles and smaller clear vesicles and in some profiles the clear vesicles are round while in others they are pleomorphic. Despite this increase in the number of vesicle-containing profiles no membrane specializations were seen that resemble mature synapses. The present results demonstrate that retinoic acid can produce morphological changes in these cells in culture, and that these changes closely mimic those of normal differentiating neurons in culture. Considered with previous studies, these findings suggest that this cell line might provide a useful model system for studying neural differentiation.

Morphological studies of neurotransmitter release and membrane recycling in sympathetic nerve terminals in culture

The morphological correlates of transmitter release from synapses and varicosities were examined in mature cultures of sympathetic neurons dissociated from neonatal rat superior cervical ganglia. The number of synaptic vesicles decreased in synapses and varicosities depolarized with 53 mM K+. The decrease in vesicle number was accompanied by striking changes in the appearance of the synaptic terminals and an increase in their mean circumference. Coated pits and membrane-bound cisternae were observed more frequently in synapses and varicosities of depolarized neurons than in terminals of resting neurons. These morphological changes were not seen when the neurons were depolarized in the presence of Co2+, consistent with the Ca2+-dependence of transmitter release from these neurons. In freeze-fracture replicas of depolarized neurons, numerous dimples were observed in the cytoplasmic leaflet of synapses and varicosities, adjacent to large 12-14 nm particles. After a period of recovery in 5 mM K+ medium, the number of synaptic vesicles and the shape of synaptic terminals returned to normal. When horseradish peroxidase (HRP) was included in the medium as an extracellular tracer during depolarization and recovery, a significant proportion of small, synaptic vesicles contained reaction product. Label was also present in coated vesicles and cisternae. Neurons which were depolarized in medium containing Co2+ or were exposed to HRP without depolarization contained few labelled synaptic vesicles. The proportion of labelled vesicles was not significantly different in synapses and varicosities, nor did it vary consistently with the transmitter identity of the neurons. These observations are consistent with the hypothesis that transmitter release occurs from varicosities as well as from synapses of postganglionic sympathetic neurons by exocytosis of the small synaptic vesicles, and that at least some new vesicles are formed from the nerve terminal membrane.