Morphological analysis of honeybee antennal cells growing in primary cultures

Primary culture of antennal cells of Mamestra brassicae: morphology of cell types and evidence for biosynthesis of pheromone-binding proteins in vitro

“…In contrast to other insect neuron cultures, and particularly of antennal neuron cultures (Gascuel et al 1994), the "5+4 medium" of Chen and Levi-Montalcini (1969) did not support the growth of neuronal cells for long-term periods. Falcon plastic culture dishes (Easy Grip or Primaria) supported the adhesion and growth of antennal cells and no additional coating was necessary.…”

“…In the absence of distinguishing characteristics other than soma size, it is difficult to determine whether type A1 and A2 cells represent two discrete populations of neurons. However, the distinction of large and small neurons has already been observed in honeybee (Gascuel et al 1994) and blowfly antennal neurons (Nakagawa and Iwama 1995) and may be a general feature in insects. As previously suggested (Gascuel et al 1994), these subgroups of neurons may correspond to different sensory modalities.…”

“…However, the distinction of large and small neurons has already been observed in honeybee (Gascuel et al 1994) and blowfly antennal neurons (Nakagawa and Iwama 1995) and may be a general feature in insects. As previously suggested (Gascuel et al 1994), these subgroups of neurons may correspond to different sensory modalities. This will have to be confirmed by electrophysiological or immunocytochemical techniques.…”

“…They were classified as large (type A1) and small neurons (type A2) on the basis of the size of their cell body and, in both subtypes of neurons, monopolar and bipolar cells were observed. Their morphology is very similar to other insect antennal sensory neurons grown in culture (Stengl and Hildebrand 1990;Gascuel et al 1994;Nakagawa and Iwama 1995). In the absence of distinguishing characteristics other than soma size, it is difficult to determine whether type A1 and A2 cells represent two discrete populations of neurons.…”

“…Primary cell cultures provide a useful tool to overcome these difficulties and allow an easier control of the protein environment of olfactory neurons. Recently, primary cultures of invertebrate olfactory neurons were established (Hayashi and Hildebrand 1990;Stengl and Hildebrand 1990;Fadool et al 1991;Gascuel et al 1991Gascuel et al , 1994Nakagawa and Iwama 1995). The neurons grown in culture were more amenable to patch clamp experiments, and ORNs were found to respond to olfactory stimulation in Manduca sexta (Stengl et al 1992) and in the lobster Ache 1992, Fadool et al 1993).…”