title: Dynorphin-A immunoreactive terminals on the neuronal somata of rat mesencephalic trigeminal nucleus.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology and Neuroscience, Kanagawa Dental College, Yokosuka 238-8580, Japan.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yamada
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sato
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Onozuka
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kubo
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yamamoto
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D004399:Dynorphins