Efficient three-dimensional reconstruction of synapse with high-voltage electron microscopy.
Three-dimensional (3-D) information on nervous tissue is essential for the understanding of brain function. Especially, 3-D synaptic analyses on serial ultrathin sections with transmission electron microscopy (TEM) have contributed to the knowledge on neural plasticity associated with various pathophysiological conditions. The 3-D reconstruction procedures, however, not only require a great amount of expertise but also include time-consuming processes. Here, we carried out computer-assisted 3-D reconstruction of parallel fibre-Purkinje cell synapses based on 250 nm serial sections using high-voltage electron microscopy (HVEM). The 3-D synapse models were constructed more efficiently and rapidly compared with conventional serial TEM reconstruction. This result suggests that 3-D reconstruction with thicker sections and HVEM is a useful method to study synaptic connectivity.
Lee
Kea Joo
KJ
Department of Anatomy, Division of Brain Korea 21 Project for Biomedical Science and Electron Microscope Facility, Korea University College of Medicine, 126-1 Anam-Dong 5-Ga, Sungbuk-Ku, Seoul 136-705, Korea.
Park
Chang-Hyun
CH
Rhyu
Im Joo
IJ
D000818:Animals; D002531:Cerebellum / Q000648:ultrastructure; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D008297:Male; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission / Q000379:methods; D008954:Models, Biological; D011689:Purkinje Cells / Q000648:ultrastructure; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013569:Synapses / Q000648:ultrastructure*