Localization of alpha-bungarotoxin binding sites in synapses of the developing chick retina.
Alpha-bungarotoxin binding sites in chick retina from 12 days in ovo to hatching, were visualized at the ultrastructural level by use of a 1:1 conjugate of horseradish peroxidase with alpha-bungarotoxin. At all stages binding sites in the inner plexiform layer were localized in synapses, predominantly on or near the postsynaptic membrane. Localization of binding sites was found in bipolar and amacrine-cell synapses which appeared morphologically immature as well as in more well developed synapses. The results suggest that alpha-bungarotoxin-binding synapses, tentatively considered to be nicotinic cholinergic, are formed throughout the course of synaptogenesis, and that the aggregation of nicotinic receptors occurs early in the formation of these synapses.
D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D001665:Binding Sites; D002038:Bungarotoxins / Q000378:metabolism*; D002642:Chick Embryo; D002645:Chickens; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D011978:Receptors, Nicotinic / Q000378:metabolism; D012160:Retina / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013569:Synapses / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure
D002038:Bungarotoxins; D011978:Receptors, Nicotinic