Dynorphin-A immunoreactive terminals on the neuronal somata of rat mesencephalic trigeminal nucleus.
Dynorphin-A-like immunoreactivity was investigated in the rat mesencephalic trigeminal nucleus (Mes 5) at the light and electron microscopic levels. Dynorphin-A immunoreactive fibers and puncta, likely representing nerve terminals, were observed throughout rostrocaudal extension of the Mes 5 at the light microscopic level. Within the rostrocaudal extension, more abundant fibers and puncta were localized in the midbrain-pontine junction and pontine areas than in the midbrain area. At the electron microscopic level, dynorphin-A immunoreactive synapses were observed on the somata of Mes 5. Dynorphin-A-like immunoreactivity tended to be restricted to dense-cored vesicles in the synapses. These results suggest that dynorphin-A-containing fiber systems affect mastication through the Mes 5.
Yamada
K
K
Department of Physiology and Neuroscience, Kanagawa Dental College, Yokosuka 238-8580, Japan.
Park
H
H
Sato
S
S
Onozuka
M
M
Kubo
K
K
Yamamoto
T
T
D000344:Afferent Pathways / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D000818:Animals; D001369:Axons / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D001732:Bite Force; D048429:Cell Size; D004399:Dynorphins / Q000378:metabolism*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008340:Mandibular Nerve / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008465:Mechanoreceptors / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008636:Mesencephalon / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D011149:Pons / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D017729:Presynaptic Terminals / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D011434:Proprioception / Q000502:physiology; D051381:Rats; D013284:Stomatognathic System / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009435:Synaptic Transmission / Q000502:physiology*; D014278:Trigeminal Nuclei / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure
D004399:Dynorphins