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Label-free visualization of ultrastructural features of artificial synapses via cryo-EM.

ABSTRACT: The ultrastructural details of presynapses formed between artificial substrates of submicrometer silica beads and hippocampal neurons are visualized via cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM). The silica beads are derivatized by poly-d-lysine or lipid bilayers. Molecular features known to exist at presynapses are clearly present at these artificial synapses, as visualized by cryo-EM. Key synaptic features such as the membrane contact area at synaptic junctions, the presynaptic bouton containing presynaptic vesicles, as well as microtubular structures can be identified. This is the first report of the direct, label-free observation of ultrastructural details of artificial synapses.

SUBMITTER: Gopalakrishnan G

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3369721 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Label-free visualization of ultrastructural features of artificial synapses via cryo-EM.

Gopalakrishnan Gopakumar G Yam Patricia T PT Madwar Carolin C Bostina Mihnea M Rouiller Isabelle I Colman David R DR Lennox R Bruce RB

ACS chemical neuroscience 20111004 12

The ultrastructural details of presynapses formed between artificial substrates of submicrometer silica beads and hippocampal neurons are visualized via cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM). The silica beads are derivatized by poly-d-lysine or lipid bilayers. Molecular features known to exist at presynapses are clearly present at these artificial synapses, as visualized by cryo-EM. Key synaptic features such as the membrane contact area at synaptic junctions, the presynaptic bouton containing pres ...[more]

PMID: 22860164

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