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bioRxiv · 10.1101/2022.04.25.489413

Localization of chemical synapses and modulatory release sites in the cardiac ganglion of the crab, Cancer borealis

Rue, M. C. P.·Baas-Thomas, N.·Iyengar, P. S.·Scaria, L. K.·Marder, E.
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Abstract

The crustacean cardiac ganglion (CG) comprises nine neurons that provide rhythmic drive to the heart. The CG is the direct target of multiple modulators. Synapsin-like immunoreactivity was found clustered around the somata of the large cells (LC) and in a neuropil at the anterior branch of the CG trunk. This implicates the soma as a key site of synaptic integration, an unusual configuration in invertebrates. Proctolin is an excitatory neuromodulator of the CG and proctolin-like immunoreactivity exhibited partial overlap with putative chemical synapses near the LCs and at the neuropil. A proctolin-like projection was also found in a pair of excitatory nerves entering the CG. GABA-like immunoreactivity was nearly completely colocalized with chemical synapses near the LCs but absent at the anterior branch neuropil. GABA-like projections were found in a pair of inhibitory nerves entering the CG. Cancer borealis Allatostatin B1 (CbAST-B1), red pigment concentrating hormone (RPCH) and FLMRFamide-like immunoreactivity each had a unique pattern of staining and co-localization with putative chemical synapses. These results provide morphological evidence that synaptic input is integrated at LC somata in the CG. Our findings provide a topographical organization for some of the multiple inhibitory and excitatory modulators that alter the rhythmic output of this semi-autonomous motor circuit.

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Rue, M. C. P., Baas-Thomas, N., Iyengar, P. S., Scaria, L. K., Marder, E.. 2022-04-26. Localization of chemical synapses and modulatory release sites in the cardiac ganglion of the crab, Cancer borealis. https://doi.org/10.1101/2022.04.25.489413

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