Phenotypic expression in the developing murine enteric nervous system

Journal Article · Mon Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1982 · J. Neurosci. Res.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5307332

Rothman, T P; Gershon, M D

The development of the enteric nervous system was examined in fetal mice. Synthesis of (3H) acetylcholine ((3H)ACh) from (3H)choline and acetylcholinesterase histochemistry were used as phenotypic markers for cholinergic neurons, while the radioautographic detection of the specific uptake of (3H)serotonin (5-(3H)HT) and immunocytochemical staining with antiserum to 5-HT marked serotonergic neurons. The gut also was examined by light and electron microscopy. Development of the gut was studied in situ and in explants grown in organotypic tissue culture. Neurons were first detected morphologically in the foregut on embryonic day 12 (E12). Synthesis of (3H)ACh was detectable on days E10 to E12 but increased markedly between days E13 and E14. Uptake and radioautographic labeling by 5-(3H)HT was seen first in the foregut on day E12, in the colon on day E13, and in the terminal colon on day E14. Gut explanted from both distal and proximal bowel prior to the time when neurons could be detected (days E9 to E11) nevertheless formed neurons in culture. These cultures of early explants displayed markers for both cholinergic and serotonergic neurons. Enhances development of both cholinergic and serotonergic neurons was found in cultures explanted at day E11 over that found in cultures explanted on days E9 or E10. The evidence presented indicates (1) that enteric neurons develop from nonrecognizable precursors, (2) that the proximodistal gradient in neuronal phenotypic expression probably is not related to a proximodistal migration of precursor cells down the gut, (3) that the colonization of the bowel by neuronal precursors may be a prolonged process continuing from day E9 at least through day E11, (4) that the first pool of neuronal primordia to colonize the developing bowel can produce both cholinergic and serotonergic neurons.

• Research Organization: Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Columbia University, College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York
• OSTI ID: 5307332
• Journal Information: J. Neurosci. Res.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Neurosci. Res.; (United States) Vol. 2:3; ISSN JNRED
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
ALCOHOLS
AMINES
AMMONIUM COMPOUNDS
ANIMALS
CHOLINE
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
DRUGS
FETUSES
GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT
HYDROXY COMPOUNDS
LABELLED COMPOUNDS
LIPOTROPIC FACTORS
MAMMALS
MEDICINE
MICE
MORPHOLOGY
NERVOUS SYSTEM
NEUROLOGY
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
QUATERNARY COMPOUNDS
RODENTS
TRITIUM COMPOUNDS
UPTAKE
VERTEBRATES