title: Nervus terminalis ganglion of the bonnethead shark (Sphyrna tiburo): evidence for cholinergic and catecholaminergic influence on two cell types distinguished by peptide immunocytochemistry.
abstract: The nervus terminalis is a ganglionated vertebrate cranial nerve of unknown function that connects the brain and the peripheral nasal structures. To investigate its function, we have studied nervus terminalis ganglion morphology and physiology in the bonnethead shark (Sphyrna tiburo), where the nerve is particularly prominent. Immunocytochemistry for gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and Leu-Pro-Leu-Arg-Phe-NH2 (LPLRFamide) revealed two distinct populations of cells. Both were acetylcholinesterase positive, but LPLR-Famide-immunoreactive cells consistently stained more darkly for acetylcholinesterase activity. Tyrosine hydroxylase immunocytochemistry revealed fibers and terminal-like puncta in the ganglion, primarily in areas containing GnRH-immunoreactive cells. Consistent with the anatomy, in vitro electrophysiological recordings provided evidence for cholinergic and catecholaminergic actions. In extracellular recordings, acetylcholine had a variable effect on baseline ganglion cell activity, whereas norepinephrine consistently reduced activity. Electrical stimulation of the nerve trunks suppressed ganglion activity, as did impulses from the brain in vivo. During electrical suppression, acetylcholine consistently increased activity, and norepinephrine decreased activity. Muscarinic and, to a lesser extent, alpha-adrenergic antagonists both increased activity during the electrical suppression, suggesting involvement of both systems. Intracellular recordings revealed two types of ganglion cells that were distinguishable pharmacologically and physiologically. Some cells were hyperpolarized by cholinergic agonists and unaffected by norepinephrine; these cells did not depolarize with peripheral nerve trunk stimulation. Another group of cells did depolarize with peripheral trunk stimulation; a representative of this group was depolarized by carbachol and hyperpolarized by norepinephrine. These and other data suggest that the bonnethead nervus terminalis ganglion contains at least two cell populations that respond differently to acetylcholine and norepinephrine. The bonnethead nervus terminalis ganglion appears to differ fundamentally from sensory and autonomic ganglia but does share some features with the neural circuits of forebrain GnRH systems.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee 32306.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: White
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Meredith
mesh_terms: D000110:Acetylcholinesterase / Q000378:metabolism; D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D015306:Biogenic Monoamines / Q000378:metabolism; D004594:Electrophysiology; D005110:Extracellular Space / Q000502:physiology; D005724:Ganglia / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000187:drug effects; D008839:Microelectrodes; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000378:metabolism*; D010275:Parasympathetic Nervous System / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D012754:Sharks / Q000502:physiology*; D013564:Sympathetic Nervous System / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D014446:Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D015306:Biogenic Monoamines; D009479:Neuropeptides; D014446:Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase; D000110:Acetylcholinesterase