Localization of the ruthenium red-positive substance in the myoneural junction of rat.
Ruthenium red staining of myoneural junctions was examined in the flexor digitorum brevis muscle of the rat. Ruthenium red-positive electron dense substance was observed to emerge from the outer layer of the presynaptic axolemma and post-synaptic sarcolemma towards the synaptic cleft. Also the cleft substance was intensely stained, usually consisting of a medium dense layer between pre- and postsynaptic membranes. The probable function of acid mucopolysaccharides in the neuromuscular transmission is discussed.
D000818:Animals; D009132:Muscles / Q000294:innervation; D009469:Neuromuscular Junction / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D012428:Ruthenium / Q000378:metabolism*; D012430:Ruthenium Red / Q000378:metabolism*; D013194:Staining and Labeling
D012430:Ruthenium Red; D012428:Ruthenium