An in vitro method assaying recognition ability of nerve terminals for special substances.
The present study provides a simple in vitro method for detecting the ability of nerve terminals to recognize special molecules. Test molecules were applied to a restricted narrow region on the surface of culture dishes, and dissociated sympathetic neurons which were embedded in a collagen gel were placed on the surface next to the region. Sympathetic fibers distributed densely on the laminin-applied region, whereas they were missing on the heparin- or hyaluronic acid-applied regions. The neurites showed no response to the fibronectin- or heparan sulfate-applied region. These results indicate that sympathetic fibers have an affinity for laminin, whereas they recognize a repellent property of heparin or hyaluronic acid.
Department of Neuropharmacology, Brain Research Institute, School of Medicine, Chiba University, Japan.
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Kuromi
D000320:Adrenergic Fibers / Q000187:drug effects; D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002642:Chick Embryo; D006493:Heparin / Q000494:pharmacology; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology; D007797:Laminin / Q000494:pharmacology; D009412:Nerve Fibers / Q000187:drug effects*; D016501:Neurites / Q000187:drug effects
D007797:Laminin; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid; D006493:Heparin