Premium
Endocytic pathways in the olfactory and vomeronasal epithelia of the mouse: Ultrastructure and uptake of tracers
Author(s) -
Bannister Lawrence H.,
Dodson Hilary C.
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
microscopy research and technique
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.536
H-Index - 118
eISSN - 1097-0029
pISSN - 1059-910X
DOI - 10.1002/jemt.1070230204
Subject(s) - olfactory epithelium , endosome , vomeronasal organ , microbiology and biotechnology , endocytic cycle , horseradish peroxidase , vacuole , endocytosis , biology , olfactory receptor , olfactory system , ultrastructure , receptor , intracellular , anatomy , biochemistry , neuroscience , cytoplasm , enzyme
Abstract Mammalian olfactory neurons possess a well‐developed system of endocytic vesicles, endosomes, and lysosomes in their dendrites and perikarya. Vomeronasal neurons are similar and also contain much perikaryal agranular endoplasmic reticulum (AER). Olfactory supporting cells contain endocytic vesicles and endosomes associated closely with abundant fenestrated AER, and vesicles and numerous large dense vacuoles are present basally. Vomeronasal supporting cells have little AER, and few dense vacuoles occur in their bases. In olfactory neurons, ultrastructural tracers (0.08% horseradish peroxidase, thorium dioxide, ferritin) are endocytosed by olfactory receptor endings and transported to the cell body, where their movement is halted in lysosomes. Higher concentrations (1%) of horseradish peroxidase penetrate olfactory receptor plasma membranes and intercellular junctions. In olfactory supporting cells, endocytosed tracers pass through endosomes to accumulate in dense basal vacuoles. These observations indicate that olfactory sensory membranes are rapidly cycled and that endocytosed materials are trapped within the epithelium. It is proposed that in the olfactory epithelium, endocytosis presents redundant odorants to the enzymes of the supporting cell AER to prevent their accumulation, whereas in the vomeronasal epithelium the receptor cells carry out this activity. © 1992 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.