Abstract
Formation of a synapse requires growth of the presynaptic axon, contact with, and recognition of, the appropriate postsynaptic neuron, replacement of growth cone organelles by synaptic typical organelles, and assembly at the active zone of presynaptic and postsynaptic dense material (Rees, 1978). After initial formation, maturational changes occur and certain conditions are required for the synapse to be maintained (Changeux and Danchin, 1976). In this chapter we describe current in vitro findings on the morphological induction of synpathogenesis in neuronal cell cultures with special emphasis on the order of events and the origin of organelles involved. Neuritic growth cones are being described growing over the surface of neuronal somata (Spoerri et al., 1980b; Spoern and Dresp, 1981; Spoerri and Wolff, 1981 and 1982). The traffic of pinocytotic and exocytotic coated vesicles and their known and hypothesized functions are indicated as well as bilateral membrane specializations and their possible function in recognition are demonstrated. Early synapses in which only postsynaptic dense material and a few synaptic vesicles are present, as well as mature synapses with full complement of presynaptic and postsynaptic dense material are illustrated (Spoerri and Wolff, 1981 and 1982; Spoerri, 1983 and 1986).
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© 1987 Martinus Nijhoff Publishing, Boston
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Spoerri, P.E. (1987). Current Findings on the Morphological Induction of Synaptogenesis in Neuronal Cells in Vitro. In: Vernadakis, A., Privat, A., Lauder, J.M., Timiras, P.S., Giacobini, E. (eds) Model Systems of Development and Aging of the Nervous System. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-2037-1_23
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-2037-1_23
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