Sprouting of frog motor nerve terminals after long-term paralysis by botulinum type A toxin.
A single sublethal injection of botulinum type A toxin (BoTx-A) to winter frogs induced a general and complete paralysis of skeletal muscles, which lasted several months. Quantitative analysis of 483 end-plates from 8 BoTx-A poisoned muscles and 495 endplates from 8 control muscles revealed a higher and significant incidence of terminal and ultraterminal sprouts in poisoned junctions when taking into account the normal remodelling of motor innervation. We conclude that prolonged neuromuscular blockade by BoTx-A results in the extension of the nerve terminal arborization.
Diaz
J
J
Département de Cytologie, Université Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris, France.
Molgó
J
J
Pécot-Dechavassine
M
M
D000818:Animals; D001905:Botulinum Toxins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D009046:Motor Neurons / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D009132:Muscles / Q000187:drug effects / Q000294:innervation / Q000502:physiology; D009416:Nerve Regeneration; D009469:Neuromuscular Junction / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D010243:Paralysis / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011896:Rana temporaria; D013997:Time Factors
D001905:Botulinum Toxins