Biomaterial Database

Müller (glial) cells in the retina of urodeles and anurans reveal different morphology by means of freeze-fracturing. 1992

H Wolburg, and K Berg-von der Emde, and C Naujoks-Manteuffel

Institute of Pathology, University of Tübingen, FRG.

Müller (glial) cells of the retina of various species of amphibia (urodeles and anurans) were investigated by means of the freeze-fracture technique. This was done because Müller cells in anamniotes were believed to differ from those in mammals in that they should lack the so-called orthogonal arrays of particles (OAP) which are a characteristic feature of Müller cells in mammalian retina. However, as we could demonstrate previously (Berg-von der Emde and Wolburg, Glia, 2 (1989) 458), fish retinal Müller cells also contain OAP in their membranes suggesting that OAP are a general marker of Müller cells in all vertebrates. As demonstrated in this study, Müller cells of urodeles (Batrachoseps attenuatus and Pleurodeles waltlii) are OAP-positive, whereas two anurans (Rana esculenta and Xenopus laevis) do not reveal any OAP in their Müller cell membranes. Under phylogenetic aspects, it appears very interesting that frogs are as yet the only vertebrate group that deviates from all other vertebrates in terms of Müller cell membrane morphology.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008854	Microscopy, Electron	Microscopy using an electron beam, instead of light, to visualize the sample, thereby allowing much greater magnification. The interactions of ELECTRONS with specimens are used to provide information about the fine structure of that specimen. In TRANSMISSION ELECTRON MICROSCOPY the reactions of the electrons that are transmitted through the specimen are imaged. In SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY an electron beam falls at a non-normal angle on the specimen and the image is derived from the reactions occurring above the plane of the specimen.	Electron Microscopy
D009457	Neuroglia	The non-neuronal cells of the nervous system. They not only provide physical support, but also respond to injury, regulate the ionic and chemical composition of the extracellular milieu, participate in the BLOOD-BRAIN BARRIER and BLOOD-RETINAL BARRIER, form the myelin insulation of nervous pathways, guide neuronal migration during development, and exchange metabolites with neurons. Neuroglia have high-affinity transmitter uptake systems, voltage-dependent and transmitter-gated ion channels, and can release transmitters, but their role in signaling (as in many other functions) is unclear.	Bergmann Glia,Bergmann Glia Cells,Bergmann Glial Cells,Glia,Glia Cells,Satellite Glia,Satellite Glia Cells,Satellite Glial Cells,Glial Cells,Neuroglial Cells,Bergmann Glia Cell,Bergmann Glial Cell,Cell, Bergmann Glia,Cell, Bergmann Glial,Cell, Glia,Cell, Glial,Cell, Neuroglial,Cell, Satellite Glia,Cell, Satellite Glial,Glia Cell,Glia Cell, Bergmann,Glia Cell, Satellite,Glia, Bergmann,Glia, Satellite,Glial Cell,Glial Cell, Bergmann,Glial Cell, Satellite,Glias,Neuroglial Cell,Neuroglias,Satellite Glia Cell,Satellite Glial Cell,Satellite Glias
D010999	Pleurodeles	A genus of aquatic newts belonging to the family Salamandridae and sometimes referred to as "spiny" tritons. There are two species P. waltlii and P. poireti. P. waltlii is commonly used in the laboratory. Since this genus adapts to aquarium living, it is easy to maintain in laboratories.	Pleurodele
D011898	Ranidae	The family of true frogs of the order Anura. The family occurs worldwide except in Antarctica.	Frogs, True,Rana,Frog, True,True Frog,True Frogs
D012160	Retina	The ten-layered nervous tissue membrane of the eye. It is continuous with the OPTIC NERVE and receives images of external objects and transmits visual impulses to the brain. Its outer surface is in contact with the CHOROID and the inner surface with the VITREOUS BODY. The outer-most layer is pigmented, whereas the inner nine layers are transparent.	Ora Serrata
D005614	Freeze Fracturing	Preparation for electron microscopy of minute replicas of exposed surfaces of the cell which have been ruptured in the frozen state. The specimen is frozen, then cleaved under high vacuum at the same temperature. The exposed surface is shadowed with carbon and platinum and coated with carbon to obtain a carbon replica.	Fracturing, Freeze,Fracturings, Freeze,Freeze Fracturings
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D013045	Species Specificity	The restriction of a characteristic behavior, anatomical structure or physical system, such as immune response; metabolic response, or gene or gene variant to the members of one species. It refers to that property which differentiates one species from another but it is also used for phylogenetic levels higher or lower than the species.	Species Specificities,Specificities, Species,Specificity, Species
D014562	Urodela	An order of the Amphibia class which includes salamanders and newts. They are characterized by usually having slim bodies and tails, four limbs of about equal size (except in Sirenidae), and a reduction in skull bones.	Amphiuma,Caudata,Eel, Congo,Salamanders,Congo Eel,Congo Eels,Eels, Congo,Salamander
D014981	Xenopus	An aquatic genus of the family, Pipidae, occurring in Africa and distinguished by having black horny claws on three inner hind toes.