In the vestibular periphery of nearly every vertebrate, cholinergic vestibular efferent neurons give rise to numerous presynaptic varicosities that target hair cells and afferent processes in the sensory neuroepithelium. Although pharmacological studies have described the postsynaptic actions of vestibular efferent stimulation in several species, characterization of efferent innervation patterns and the relative distribution of efferent varicosities among hair cells and afferents are also integral to understanding how efferent synapses operate. Vestibular efferent markers, however, have not been well characterized in the turtle, one of the animal models used by our laboratory. Here we sought to identify reliable efferent neuronal markers in the vestibular periphery of turtle, to use these markers to understand how efferent synapses are organized, and to compare efferent neuronal labeling patterns in turtle with two other amniotes using some of the same markers. Efferent fibers and varicosities were visualized in the semicircular canal of red-eared turtles (Trachemys scripta elegans), zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata), and mice (Mus musculus) utilizing fluorescent immunohistochemistry with antibodies against choline acetyltransferase (ChAT). Vestibular hair cells and afferents were counterstained using antibodies to myosin VIIa and calretinin. In all species, ChAT labeled a population of small diameter fibers giving rise to numerous spherical varicosities abutting type II hair cells and afferent processes. That these ChAT-positive varicosities represent presynaptic release sites were demonstrated by colabeling with antibodies against the synaptic vesicle proteins synapsin I, SV2, or syntaxin and the neuropeptide calcitonin gene-related peptide. Comparisons of efferent innervation patterns among the three species are discussed.
Pubmed ID: 25560461 RIS Download
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Commercial organism provider selling mice, rats and other model animals. American corporation specializing in a variety of pre-clinical and clinical laboratory services for the pharmaceutical, medical device and biotechnology industries. It also supplies assorted biomedical products and research and development outsourcing services for use in the pharmaceutical industry. (Wikipedia)
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View all literature mentionsAn antibody supplier which banks and distributes hybridomas and monoclonal antibodies for use in research. The bank includes antibodies against targets such as GFP, transcription factors, stem cells, and human.
View all literature mentionsThis monoclonal targets Syntaxin
View all literature mentionsThis unknown targets
View all literature mentionsThis monoclonal targets myosin-VIIa
View all literature mentionsThis polyclonal targets Calretinin
View all literature mentionsThis polyclonal targets Choline Acetyltransferase
View all literature mentionsThis polyclonal targets Synapsin I
View all literature mentionsThis polyclonal targets Myosin-VIIa
View all literature mentionsThis polyclonal targets Calretinin
View all literature mentionsThe Confocal and Conventional Microscopy Core provides Medical Center researchers access to high-end confocal microscopy as well as more conventional brightfield and fluorescence microscopy. The Core provides assistance with all imaging procedures as needed by the investigators. Aid in customizing staining protocols to optimize obtainment of high quality data using Core instruments is also provided. The CCMC provides Medical Center researchers the ability and expertise to obtain high quality imaging-based data from tissue, culture, and materials-based research studies. Core instrumentation includes a new Olympus FV1000 laser scanning confocal microscope, an accompanying workstation containing full Olympus FV1000 software, an Olympus VanoxAH-2 microscope for brightfield and fluorescence imaging, and an imaging stand for large specimen imaging. The core also offers a PalmBeam Laser Capture Microdissection Instrument for microdissection of tissue.
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View all literature mentionsDigital image processing system where microscope settings and processing steps may be adjusted in single user interface. Can acquire images from variety of cameras. Includes software package for capturing, archiving and preparing images for publication. Allows users to visualize and present images in several dimensions. Functionality of imaging toolbox expands constantly with wide range of different modules that are tailored to specific applications or microscope accessories. This resource is duplicated by SCR_018376
View all literature mentionsThe Confocal and Conventional Microscopy Core provides Medical Center researchers access to high-end confocal microscopy as well as more conventional brightfield and fluorescence microscopy. The Core provides assistance with all imaging procedures as needed by the investigators. Aid in customizing staining protocols to optimize obtainment of high quality data using Core instruments is also provided. The CCMC provides Medical Center researchers the ability and expertise to obtain high quality imaging-based data from tissue, culture, and materials-based research studies. Core instrumentation includes a new Olympus FV1000 laser scanning confocal microscope, an accompanying workstation containing full Olympus FV1000 software, an Olympus VanoxAH-2 microscope for brightfield and fluorescence imaging, and an imaging stand for large specimen imaging. The core also offers a PalmBeam Laser Capture Microdissection Instrument for microdissection of tissue.
View all literature mentionsThis polyclonal targets Synapsin I
View all literature mentionsThis monoclonal targets Syntaxin
View all literature mentionsThis monoclonal targets myosin-VIIa
View all literature mentionsThis polyclonal targets Myosin-VIIa
View all literature mentionsThis unknown targets
View all literature mentionsThis polyclonal targets Choline Acetyltransferase
View all literature mentionsThis polyclonal targets Calretinin
View all literature mentions