Aggregation of F-Actin in Olfactory Glomeruli: a Common Feature of Glomeruli Across Phyla

摘要

Using fluorophore-conjugated phalloidin, we show that filamentous (F)-actin is strongly aggregated in olfactory glomeruli within primary olfactory centers of vertebrates and insects. Our comparative study demosntrates that aggregation of F-actin is a common feature of glomeruli across phyla, and is independent of glomerular architecture and/or the presence or absence of cellular borders around glomeruli formed by neurons or glial cells. The distribution of F-actin in axonal and dendritic compartments within glomeruli, however, appears different between vertebrates and insects. The potential role of the actin-based cytoskeleton is synaptic and structural plasticity within glomerulic is discussed.