Staining of central neurons of the pteropod mollusk Clione limacina with fluorescein-labeled alpha-bungarotoxin.
Fluorescein-labeled alpha-bungarotoxin (alphaBT/FITC) was used to identify neurons bearing acetylcholine receptors in the central nervous system of the pteropod mollusk Clione limacina. AlphaBT/FITC stained two small symmetrical neurons on the dorsal surface of the cerebral ganglia. The stain was highly specific and was completely blocked by preincubation with a very low concentration of unlabeled alpha-bungarotoxin (1 nM). Nicotinic receptor agonists and antagonists effectively blocked staining with alphaBT/FITC, while muscarinic agonists and antagonists had no effect. This provides evidence that alphaBT/FITC genuinely binds to acetylcholine receptors. The possible role of the alphaBT/FITC-stained cells in the hunting behavioral complex of Clione is discussed.
Popova
L B
LB
Institute of Information Transmission Problems, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow.
Panchin YuV
D000818:Animals; D002038:Bungarotoxins; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D004396:Coloring Agents; D005452:Fluoresceins; D017952:Ganglia, Invertebrate / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D018722:Nicotinic Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D018733:Nicotinic Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D011978:Receptors, Nicotinic / Q000187:drug effects; D012908:Snails / Q000502:physiology*
D002038:Bungarotoxins; D004396:Coloring Agents; D005452:Fluoresceins; D018722:Nicotinic Agonists; D018733:Nicotinic Antagonists; D011978:Receptors, Nicotinic