In situ localization of NF-H neurofilament subunit mRNAs in rat brain.

The expression of NF-H neurofilament subunit mRNAs was investigated in the rat brain at different ontogenic stages. The levels of NF-H mRNAs vary 15-fold among brain regions with the highest level in the brainstem. In situ localization studies revealed that the NF-H mRNAs are mainly concentrated in the brainstem motoneuron nuclei.

Study of a 53 kDa cell surface antigen of oligodendrocytes in culture.

It was shown previously that pure oligodendrocytes release proteins when maintained in a chemically defined medium. Among these proteins, a 53 kDa glycoprotein was characterized as a component accessible from the external surface of these glial cells. Specific antibodies directed against this glycoprotein were obtained using two different procedures.

A morphological and biochemical study of the myelin-like membrane structures formed in cultures of pure oligodendrocytes.

This study reports the production of myelin-like membranes in oligodendrocyte subcultures derived from 20-day-old primary glial cell cultures of newborn rat brain. These multi-layered structures show a variable number of membrane turns; up to 10 concentric lamellae are found in 3- to 4-week-old subcultures. When they are compacted, alternate dense and intraperiodic lines with a periodicity of 11.

The effect of exogenous gangliosides on neurons in culture: A morphometric analysis.

Cultures of isolated neurons have been treated with a purified preparation of gangliosides (10(-5)M and 10(-9)M) added to the cell growth medium at the 3rd day in culture and a morphometric analysis of the cells was performed with an image analyzer after 1 and 4 days of treatment. The number of cells and the area of the cell bodies were increased following the treatment. The results indicate as well the 'sprouting' effect of the glycolipids on the number of secondary neuronal processes and an increase in the length of the primary neuntes.