Pinealocyte

About: Pinealocyte is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 1605 publications have been published within this topic receiving 55609 citations.

Ionotropic glutamate receptors trigger microvesicle-mediated exocytosis of L-glutamate in rat pinealocytes.

Abstract: Rat pinealocytes receive noradrenergic innervation that stimulates melatonin synthesis. Besides melatonin, we showed previously that pinealocytes accumulate L-glutamate in microvesicles and secrete it through an exocytic mechanism. The secreted glutamate binds to the class II metabotropic glutamate receptor and inhibits norepinephrine-stimulated melatonin synthesis in neighboring pinealocytes through an inhibitory cyclic AMP cascade. In this study, it was found that, in addition to metabotropic receptors, pinealocytes express functional ionotropic receptors. RT-PCR and northern analyses indicated the expression of mRNA for GluR1, KA2, and NR2C in pineal gland. The presence of GluR1 protein was confirmed by immunological techniques, but neither KA2 nor NR2C was detected. Consistent with this observation, the presence of (RS)-alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid or kainate, non-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor agonists, transiently stimulated increased the intracellular Ca(2+) concentration of cultured pinealocytes, whereas N-methyl-D-aspartate did not. These responses were prevented by 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione, a selective antagonist for non-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors, by L-type Ca(2+) channel blockers such as nifedipine, or by omitting Ca(2+) or Na(+) in the medium. In the presence of Ca(2+) and Na(+), (RS)-alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid or kainate evoked glutamate secretion from the cultured cells, which was prevented by 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione, L-type Ca(2+) channel blockers, type E or B botulinum neurotoxin, or incubation at <20 degrees C. These results strongly suggest that GluR1 is functionally expressed in pinealocytes and triggers microvesicle-mediated exocytosis of L-glutamate via activation of L-type Ca(2+) channels. It is possible that GluR1 participates in a signaling cascade that enhances and expands the L-glutamate signal throughout the pineal gland.

Ultrastructure of the pineal gland in the adult dog.

Abstract: The adult dog pineal gland was studied with the electron microscope. Pineal connective tissue spaces were poorly developed and showed capillaries with nonfenestrated endothelial cells. Two cell types, pinealocytes and astrocytes, could be identified in pineal parenchyma. Dog pinealocytes showed microtubules, centrioles, occasional cilia, and well-developed Golgi complexes. These cells showed thin processes with bulbous endings packed with vesicles. Astrocytes were characterized by the presence of numerous filaments. Their processes finished forming a glial layer bordering connective tissue spaces. The presence of myelinated and unmyelinated nerve fibers was also described.

The pineal organ of Raja clavata: Opsin immunoreactivity and ultrastructure

Abstract: The pineal organ of Raja clavata was studied by light and electron microscopy, including the immunocytochemical antiopsin reaction. The pineal organ of the ray consists of three portions: (i) a large proximal pineal, (ii) a long tube-like connecting stalk, and (iii) a short distal terminal enlargement. This latter end-vesicle lies in the deep connective tissue layers of the braincase. All portions of the pineal are composed of pinealocytes, intrinsic neurons, ependymal/glial cells, and bundles of nerve fibers embedded in thin neuropil formations. The inner segments of the pinealocytes protrude into the lumen in all parts of the organ and usually contain basal bodies and numerous mitochondria. Often, two outer segments were found to arise from the basal bodies of a single inner segment. By means of light-microscopic immunocytochemistry the outer segments showed a strong antiopsin reaction. The axons of the pinealocytes form ribbon-containing synapses on dendrite-like profiles, which appear to belong to the intrinsic pineal neurons. There are other axo-dendritic synapses established by presynaptic terminals lacking ribbons and containing granular and synaptic vesicles. Pineal neurons may contain granular vesicles approximately 60-100 nm in diameter; their processes contribute to the bundles of unmyelinated axons. The fine structural organization of the pineal organ and the opsin immunoreactivity of the outer segments of the pinealocytes indicate a photoreceptive capacity of the organ. The double outer segments represent a peculiar multiplication of the photoreceptor structures.

The pinealocyte--a paraneuron.

Abstract: Publisher Summary This chapter describes the pinealocyte as a paraneuron and proves the usefulness of the paraneuron concept for answering questions in pineal research Main representatives of the paraneuron family are, for example, (a) peptidergic hormoneproducing endocrine cells like the chromaffin cells of the adrenal medulla, parafollicular cells of the thyroid, parathyroid cells, anterior pituitary cells, pancreatic islet cells, and basal granular cells in the gastro-intestinal tract, (b) sensory cells like the gustatory cells, hair cells of the inner ear and the lateral line organs, olfactory cells, photoreceptor cells of the retina, the pinealocytes, and liquorcontacting neurons, and (c) Merkel cells of the skin, melanocytes, and mast cells All criteria characteristic of a paraneuron hold for the pinealocyte, but the same criteria are also properties of nerve cells Naturally, there is no clear boundary between a neuron and a paraneuron The distinction between a receptive region and an output region in paraneurons may help to explain morphological findings related to the location of end-feet of pinealocytes at the region of the basal lamina Distinguishing between a receptive input, a conductive, and an output region in paraneurons may be useful in obtaining more information about this enigmatic cell organelle in mammalian pinealocytes