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DEVELOPMENT OF POLYPLOID GLIAL CLASSES IN THE HUMAN CEREBELLUM AND THEIR RELATIONSHIP TO PURKINJE CELLS
Author(s) -
MANN D. M. A.,
YATES P. O.,
BARTON C. M.
Publication year - 1976
Publication title -
neuropathology and applied neurobiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.538
H-Index - 95
eISSN - 1365-2990
pISSN - 0305-1846
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2990.1976.tb00517.x
Subject(s) - polyploid , cerebellum , neuroscience , biology , ploidy , genetics , gene
Maturation of human Purkinje cells has been shown to commence at about 37 weeks gestation and is not fully completed until 18 months of post‐natal life. It is characterized by the synchronous expansion of the nucleus and nucleolus coupled with an increase in cytoplasmic RNA. Immature cells have a diploid DNA content, which, in contrast to some previous reports, remains constant throughout the perinatal period, and subsequent adult cell life. Although the diploid glial cell population is established shortly after birth, development of a tetraploid glial class is described which does not start until birth and is not complete before 18 months of age. Different roles for each glial class are therefore suggested. Diploid glia are thought to assist during Purkinje cell maturation and subsequent maintenance of physiology. Tetraploid glia may have a role in the establishment of learned patterns of coordinated movement and constitute the basis of cerebellar memory.