Morphology of radial glia, ependymal cells, and periventricular neurons in the optic tectum of goldfish (Carassius auratus)

Abstract

There are three populations of cells in the deep layers of the optic tectum in a normal adult goldfish: the periventricular neurons, the ependymal cells, and the radial glia. The characteristic morphological features which distinguish the three cell populations are examined at light and electron microscopic levels in the present work. A radial glial cell has a deeply invaginated nucleus located in a subependymal layer. Its cytoplasm contains mitochondria with 35-nm dark granules and 20-nm microtubules but no intermediate filaments. Its prominent radial process extends through the superficial tectal layers. In contrast, the processes of ependymal cell ramify and interweave within the ependymal region. The cytoplasm of an ependymal cell contains prominent bundles of intermediate filaments but not microtubules. Its soma lies at or near the ventricular surface. A periventricular neuron has a round nucleus and a smooth dendrite which extends toward the superficial tectal layers. Its cytoplasm contains microtubules and agranular mitochondria. Axosomatic and axodendritic synapses are found on periventricular neurons. The morphological characteristics of these cell types are considered in relation to previous descriptions of teleost tectal cytology and with regard to the atypical natures of the cytoskeletal elements of the ependymal and radial glial cells.