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 hi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Neuroscience and behavioral physiology 1999-05, Vol.29 (3), p.317-320
Main Authors: Popova, L B, Panchin YuV
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Bungarotoxins
Central Nervous System - cytology
Central Nervous System - physiology
Clione limacina
Coloring Agents
Fluoresceins
Ganglia, Invertebrate - cytology
Ganglia, Invertebrate - physiology
Marine
Neurons - physiology
Nicotinic Agonists - pharmacology
Nicotinic Antagonists - pharmacology
Receptors, Nicotinic - drug effects
Snails - physiology
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Summary: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.
ISSN:0097-0549
DOI:10.1007/BF02465343