An anterograde neuroanatomical tracing method that shows the detailed morphology of neurons, their axons and terminals: Immunohistochemical localization of an axonally transported plant lectin, Phaseolus vulgaris-leucoagglutinin (PHA-L)

Brain Research
C R Gerfen, P E Sawchenko

Abstract

A new neuroanatomical method for tracing connections in the central nervous system based on the anterograde axonal transport of the kidney bean lectin, Phaseolus vulgaris-leucoagglutinin (PHA-L) is described. The method, for which a detailed protocol is presented, offers several advantages over present techniques. First, when the lectin is delivered iontophoretically, PHA-L injection sites as small as 50-200μm in diameter can be produced, and are clearly demarcated since the neurons within the labeled zone are completely filled. Second, many morphological features of such filled neurons are clearly demonstrated including their cell bodies, axons, dendritic arbors and even dendritic spines. Third, there is some evidence to suggest that only the neurons at the injection site that are filled transport demonstrable amounts of the tracer, raising the possibility that the effective injection site can be defined quite precisely. Fourth, even with the most restricted injections, the morphology of the labeled axons and axon terminals is clearly demonstrated; this includes boutons en passant, fine collateral branches, and various terminal specialization, all of which can be visualized as well as in the best rapid Golgi preparations. Fift...Continue Reading

References

Apr 1, 1992·Trends in Neurosciences·C R Gerfen
Feb 22, 1990·The Journal of Comparative Neurology·E T CunninghamP E Sawchenko
Aug 1, 1988·The Journal of Comparative Neurology·E T Cunningham, P E Sawchenko
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Mar 18, 2008·Neuron·Liqun LuoKarel Svoboda
Jun 6, 2009·The Journal of Neuroscience : the Official Journal of the Society for Neuroscience·Jason J RadleyPaul E Sawchenko
Jul 1, 2011·The Journal of Neuroscience : the Official Journal of the Society for Neuroscience·Jason J Radley, Paul E Sawchenko
Mar 4, 2014·Cell·Brian ZinggHong-Wei Dong
Apr 4, 2014·Nature·Seung Wook OhHongkui Zeng
Mar 4, 2015·Nature·Nuo LiKarel Svoboda

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Citations

Jun 6, 2017·Journal of Experimental Neuroscience·Cyril EleftheriouJose Fernando Maya-Vetencourt
Jul 18, 2018·Neuroinformatics·Sebastian SchwankeOliver Schmitt

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