Reutilization of trigeminal motoneurons during amphibian metamorphosis.
Indirect evidence suggests that trigeminal motoneurons (Vmns) in Rana pipiens innervate distinct myofiber populations in tadpoles and adult frogs. Redeployment occurs when the larval myofibers die and are replaced during metamorphosis. To directly test this hypothesis, DiI was injected into the larval muscle and Fast Blue into the replacement myofiber population. Over 95% of the Vmns contained both tracers, providing support for the innervation of sequential targets by the same motoneurons.
Alley
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KE
Department of Oral Biology, The Ohio State University, 305 W. Twelfth Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210, USA. alley.2@osu.edu
Omerza
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FF
D000818:Animals; D007814:Larva / Q000254:growth & development; D008675:Metamorphosis, Biological; D009046:Motor Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000502:physiology; D011894:Rana pipiens; D014276:Trigeminal Nerve / Q000166:cytology / Q000254:growth & development*