Glio-neuronal and glio-glial syncytial cytoplasmic connections in peripheral nerve trunks of the crayfish Astacus leptodactylus

The paired neuroglial and interglial membranes in the crayfish stretch receptor and their local disorganization

“…Formation of tight junctions between paired membranes has been suggested to precede PM fusion, destabilization, formation of vesicles, and perforations (Samosudova et al, ; Sotnikov and Paramonova, ; Sotnikov et al, ). The presence of unsealed PM perforations between crayfish axons and glial cells (Peracchia, ; Sotnikov et al, ) and between neurons of crayfish, mollusks, and mammals (Sotnikov et al, ; Sotnikov and Paramonova, ) has been previously reported. This contradicts the well‐accepted Ramon y Cahal neuronal paradigm and returns to C. Golgi's concept of the syncytial nervous system.…”

“…The following lipid and protein rearrangement leads to formation of vesicles and perforations in the paired membranes that can form the large‐scale passages and syncytial coupling between contacting cells. Such perforations have been observed between neurons and between neurons and glial cells of crayfish, mollusks, and mammals (Peracchia, ; Samosudova et al, ; Sotnikov et al, ; Sotnikov and Paramonova, ). The ion fluxes through such perforations should rapidly decrease ionic gradients and membrane potential and eliminate neuronal activity.…”

Use of Cell Culture to Prove Syncytial Connection and Fusion of Neurons

“…We were the first to reveal with aid of electron microscope the syncytial connection in situ in the piglet enteral nervous system [30]. Subsquently, this way of interneuronal connection was shown in molluscs [31,32], in the crawfish peripheral nervous system [33], in cat autonomic ganglia [34], in rabbit hippocampus [35,36], and in the human cerebral cortex [12,37].…”