Jd. Jontes et al., Growth cone and dendrite dynamics in zebrafish embryos: early events in synaptogenesis imaged in vivo, NAT NEUROSC, 3(3), 2000, pp. 231-237
We used time-lapse fluorescence microscopy to observe the growth of Mauthne
r cell axone and their postsynaptic targets, the primary motor neurons, in
spinal cords of developing zebrafish embryos. Upon reaching successive moto
r neurons, the Mauthner growth cone paused briefly before continuing along
its path. Varicosities formed at regular intervals and were preferentially
associated with the target regions of the primary motor neurons. In additio
n, the postsynaptic motor neurons showed highly dynamic filopodia, which tr
ansiently interacted with both the growth cone and the axon. Both Mauthner
cell and motor neurons were highly active, each showing motility sufficient
to initiate synaptogenesis.