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Density of Thy‐1 on Axonal Membrane of Different Rat Nerves
Author(s) -
Beech J. N.,
Morris R. J.,
Raisman G.
Publication year - 1983
Publication title -
journal of neurochemistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.75
H-Index - 229
eISSN - 1471-4159
pISSN - 0022-3042
DOI - 10.1111/j.1471-4159.1983.tb04757.x
Subject(s) - anatomy , membrane , peripheral nervous system , optic nerve , central nervous system , ganglion , axon , electron micrographs , chemistry , biophysics , electron microscope , biology , neuroscience , optics , physics , biochemistry
The density of the cell surface antigen, Thy‐1, has been measured on the axonal plasma membrane of the optic and hypoglossal nerves, and on the sympathetic (preganglionic) chain of the superior cervical ganglion in the rat. For each, the amount of Thy‐1 in a standard length of nerve was determined. The amount of axonal plasma membrane in a similar length was then measured by use of a computer graphics system which determined the total length of membrane in electron micrographs of cross sections of nerve. The axons of the two peripheral nerves were found to have a similar density (1100–1500 molecules/μm 2 ) of Thy‐1 on their surface, and this was two‐ to threefold higher than the density on axons of optic nerve (500 molecules/μm 2 ). These figures indicate that the density of Thy‐1 on the surface of these axons is somewhat lower than that found on the cells of the lymphoid system. Moreover, contrary to the impression gained from previous determinations of Thy‐1 levels, axons in the peripheral nervous system do not necessarily have a lower density of Thy‐1 on their surface than do those of the central nervous system.