Axonal transport in transplanted frog sciatic nerve

Abstract

Axonal transport was studied in transplanted frog sciatic nerves-dorsal ganglia for periods up to three months. The ganglia were either labeled prior to, or after varying periods of transplantation and the distribution of labeled proteins compared. The survival of the preparations was assessed by studying their ability to transmit compound action potentials, to maintain axonal transport and by their ultrastructural appearance. The sensory neurons retained their fast axonal transport and excitability during the transplantation periods. Morphologically about 30% of the axons appeared normal after one month of transplantation. The amount and distribution of protein incorporated radioactivity in the ganglia and the nerve changed with time but the decrease in the ganglia was not accompanied by a corresponding increase in the nerve. There was no evidence for a distinct slow phase of transport in spite of a functional fast transport system. The results indicate that either slow transport stops when the normal balance between release, degradation and recirculation is distributed by the presence of a ligature or that there is a continuous change in the composition of transported material with the time after labeling which is not reflected in altered transport characteristics.