Gap junctions on hippocampal mossy fiber axons demonstrated by thin-section electron microscopy and freeze fracture replica immunogold labeling.
Gap junctions have been postulated to exist between the axons of excitatory cortical neurons based on electrophysiological, modeling, and dye-coupling data. Here, we provide ultrastructural evidence for axoaxonic gap junctions in dentate granule cells. Using combined confocal laser scanning microscopy, thin-section transmission electron microscopy, and grid-mapped freeze-fracture replica immunogold labeling, 10 close appositions revealing axoaxonic gap junctions ( approximately 30-70 nm in diameter) were found between pairs of mossy fiber axons ( approximately 100-200 nm in diameter) in the stratum lucidum of the CA3b field of the rat ventral hippocampus, and one axonal gap junction ( approximately 100 connexons) was found on a mossy fiber axon in the CA3c field of the rat dorsal hippocampus. Immunogold labeling with two sizes of gold beads revealed that connexin36 was present in that axonal gap junction. These ultrastructural data support computer modeling and in vitro electrophysiological data suggesting that axoaxonic gap junctions play an important role in the generation of very fast (>70 Hz) network oscillations and in the hypersynchronous electrical activity of epilepsy.
Hamzei-Sichani
Farid
F
Program in Neural and Behavioral Science, State University of New York, Downstate Medical Center, 450 Clarkson Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11203, USA. fh81@alumni-mail.gs.columbia.edu
Kamasawa
Naomi
N
Janssen
William G M
WG
Yasumura
Thomas
T
Davidson
Kimberly G V
KG
Hof
Patrick R
PR
Wearne
Susan L
SL
Stewart
Mark G
MG
Young
Steven R
SR
Whittington
Miles A
MA
Rash
John E
JE
Traub
Roger D
RD
D000818:Animals; D005614:Freeze Fracturing; D017629:Gap Junctions / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D006046:Gold; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D016253:Microscopy, Immunoelectron; D008867:Microtomy; D019599:Mossy Fibers, Hippocampal / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley
D006046:Gold