EVIDENCE FOR THE EXISTENCE OF FOUR TYPES OF RIBONUCLEOPROTEIN IN THE NERVE CELLS OF THE CEREBELLUM IN THE ADULT CAT.

Abstract

In Helly-fixed cerebella, the toluidine blue – molybdate staining procedure reveals the existence of four distinct types of ribonucleoprotein in both the Purkinje cells of the vermian zone and the multipolar ganglion cells of the fastigial nucleus. These four types of ribonucleoprotein are found in, respectively, the ground substance (nucleolar matrix) of the nucleolus, the intranucleolar vacuoles (nucleolini), the intranuclear paranucleolar masses, and the cytoplasmic Nissl bodies. The relevant observational evidence suggests that the two organelles of the nucleolar apparatus, that is, the nucleolus and paranucleolar masses together with their associated chromocenters, are concerned with distinct synthetic activities with regard to the elaboration of neuronal ribonucleic acids or ribonucleoproteins. The significance of the above findings is discussed in the light of current concepts pertaining to cellular ribonucleoprotein metabolism.